IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


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ilM    IIIII2.2 


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12.0 


i.8 


1.25 

1.4 

1.6 

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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


Tho  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


□ 


D 

D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pellicul6e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  g6ographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleub  ju  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  iJiustrations  en  couleur 


D 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relii  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  i'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  Irrsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  At6  fiim^es. 

Additional  comments/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilmd  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vuo  bibliographique.  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m^thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 


D 


Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  er?dommag6es 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pelliculdes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d6color6es,  tachetdes  ou  piqudes 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtachdes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  indgaie  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  matdriel  suppl^mentaire 


I      I    Only  edition  available/ 


Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  fiimdes  d  nouveau  de  fagon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


V 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


2flX 


32X 


ails 

du 

difier 

jne 

lage 


ata 


Blure, 


3 


I2X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archiues  of  British  Columbia 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


1 

2 

3 

L'exemplaire  filmA  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
g6nArositA  de: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbi.i 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  AtA  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet<k  de  l'exemplaire  filmA,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filrnage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  nst  imprim^e  sont  filmds  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
derni^re  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tojs  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  t'<»rminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — •-  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN '. 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmis  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  film^  A  partir 
de  Tangle  supirieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n^cessaire.  Les  diagramrres  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

Vol. 


H 


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1 


■  *-'«;-<f'«)^. 


V    •  O.'i   •  \ 


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TTT 


PUBLICATIONS       '"  r-',,^' 


OP  THS 


HISTORiCAL    SOCIETY 


OF  SOUTHERN  CALIFORNIA 


Docurtients  from  the  Sutro  Collection, 


TKANSIATBD,  ANNOTATBD  AITO  BDITBD  BY 

GEO.  BUTLER  GRIFFIN, 

PieBident  of  the  Booietr. 
Printed  for  the  Society  by  authority  of  ike  Board  of  Directors. 


-»i..«.H»-*A 


LOS  ANGELES: 

P&SSS  OF  THS  PRAN£XJK  PIUNTINO  CQMPik.NY. 

X89I, 


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Ministerio  de  Ultramrr. 


r^  ON  ESTA  fecha  digo  al  Jefe  del  Archive  de  Yndias  estable- 
^— '  cido  en  Sevilla  lo  que  sigue  : 

"  S.  M.  el  Rey  (q.  D.  g.)  ha  tenido  A  bien  disponer  que  se 
conceda  autorizacion  d  M-  Adolph  Sutro  para  que  examine  y  tome 
nota  de  los  documentos  que  se  custodian  en  ese  Archivo  ;  enten- 
diendose  esta  autorizacion  sujeta  d  las  ordenanza?  y  demds  dis- 
posiciones  porque  se  rige  esa  depeudencia.  De  Real  6rden  comu- 
nicada  por  el  Sr.  Ministro  de  Ultramar  lo  digo  d  V.  S.  d  los 
efectos  in-dicados. ' ' 

De  la  propia  Real  6rden  lo  traslado  d  V.  para  su  conocimiento. 

Dios  guarde  d  V.  muchos  anos.  Madrid  26  de  Diciembre  de 
1883. 

El  Subsecretario 
(rubrica)  Manuel  de  Egu:6i,ior 

(rubrica) 

Sot.  Dn.  Adolph  Sutro. 


iv 


Vor,.  I 


TRANSLATION. 
Ministry  of  Foreign  Affairs. 

Under  this  date  I  say  to  the  Chief  of  the  India  Archives 
established  at  Seville  the  following  : 

"  H.  M.  the  King— whom  God  guard— has  seen  fit  to  order  that 
permission  to  examine  and  taict  notes  from  the  documents  kept  in 
those  archives  be  given  to  Mr.  Adolph  Sutro,  it  being  understood 
that  this  authorization  is  given  subject  to  the  ordinances  and 
other  rules  governing  that  bureau.  By  royal  order  communicated 
through  the  Minister  of  Foreign  Affnirs  I  say  this  to  Your  Excel- 
lency for  the  end  indicated." 

By  virtue  of  the  same  royal  order  I  transmit  this  to  you  for 
your  information. 

God  guard  you  many  years.     Madrid,  26th  December,  1883. 

Manuel  de  Egu^i^ior 

Under  •'jecretary 
(r«^r/fa  of  the  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs.)         {rubrica) 

Mr.  Adolph  Sutro. 


HI 


D 


Prh 


Vor,.  II. 


Part  r. 


PUBLICATIONS 


OI'  THU 


HISTORICAL    SOCIETY 


OF  SOUTHERN  CALIFOR^.A 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection, 

tRANStATED,  ANNOTATED  AND  EDITED  BY 

GEO    BUTLER  GRIFFIN, 

Preeioent  of  the  Society. 

Pri7ited  for  the  Society  by  authority  Oj  the  Board  ot  Directors. 


I.OS  ANGKLES:  *     • 

PRESS   OF  THE   FRANKUN  PRINTING  COMPANY. 

1891. 


' 


II. 


III. 


COPYRICfHT  im, 

BY  THE 

HISTORICAL  SOCIETY  Of  SOUTHERN'  fALIFORNFA, 

INCORI'ORATED. 

ALL  UICillTS  BK.SKUVIiD. 


IV. 


V. 


VI. 


VII. 


VIII. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Introduction. 

I.  Letter  of  Fray  Andres  de  Aguirre  to  the  Archbishop  of  Mexico,  giving 
an  account  of  some  rich  islands  inhabited  I)y  civilized  people,  discovered 
by  a  Portuguese  trader,  and  situate  in  latitude  35°  to  40°  north — written 
in  1584-5- 

II.  Paragraph  of  a  letter  from  the  Marques  de  Villamanrique,  Viceroy  of 
New  Spain,  to  His  Majesty  the  King  of  Spain,  making  suggestions  con- 
cerning the  exploration  of  the  coast  of  the  South  Sea,  and  giving  notice 
of  a  vessel  sailing  for  that  purpose — dated  loth  May,  1585. 

III.  Paragraph  of  a  letter  from  the  Conde  de  Santiago,  Viceroy  of  New 
Spain,  to  the  King  of  Spain,  referring  to  the  commissioning  of  Sebastian 
Rodriguez  Cermeiio  for  a  survej'  of  the  coast  of  the  South  Sea — dated  6th 
April,  1594. 

IV.  Paragraph  of  a  letter  from  the  royal  officials  of  Acapulco  to  the  Conde 
de  Tiionterey,  Viceroy  of  New  Spain,  giving  tidings  of  the  loss  of  the 
ship  San  Agtistin — dated  ist  February,  1596. 

V.  Paragraph  of  a  letter  from  the  Conde  de  Monterey,  Viceroy  of  New 
Spain,  to  the  King  of  Spain,  giving  notice  of  the  loss  of  the  ship  San 
Agustin  and  of  discoveries  made  in  her — dated  19th  April,  1596. 

VI.  Paragraph  of  a  letter  from  the  Conde  de  Santiago,  Viceroy  of  New 
Spain,  to  the  King  of  Spain,  informing  him  that  money  is  lacking  for  the 
survey  of  the  coast  of  the  mainland,  but  that  there  are  persons  who  will 
undertake  to  do  this  if  certain  concessions  be  made  to  them — dated 
8th  Octobe-,  1593. 

VII.  Paragraph  of  a  letter  from  the  Conde  de  Monterey,  Viceroj'  of  New- 
Spain,  to  the  King  of  Spain,  concerning  the  expedition  to  New  Mexico 
and  the  concession  to  Sebastian  Vizcaino — dated  20th  December,  1595. 

VIII.  Letter  of  the  Conde  de  Monterey,  Viceroy  of  New  Spain,  to  the 
King  of  Sppin,  on  the  propriety  of  not  sending  expeditions  undertaken 
by  individuals  to  discover  and  take  possession  of  the  pro\-inces  to  tlie 
northward  of  New  Spain,  and  of  precautions  to  be  observed  concerning 
what  Sebastian  Vizcaino  is  doing  with  regard  to  an  enterprise  of  this 
k.iid — dated  29th  February,  1596. 

IX.  Letter  ofSebastuin  Vizcaino  to  the  King  of  Spain,  announcing  his 
return  from  the  expedition  to  the  Californias — dated  27th  February,  1597. 

X.  Report  which  Sebastian  Vizcaino  makes  for  the  information  of  the  King 
of  Spain  concerning  his  expedition  to  the  Gulf  of  California — written 
early  in  1597. 


■I  ;■ 


4  Historical  Society  of  Soiitheryi  California, 

XI.  Paragraph  of  a  letter  from  the  Conde  de  Monterey,  Viceroy  of  New 
Spain,  to  the  King  of  Spain,  giving  his  reasons  for  not  making  use  of 
the  decree  taking  from  Sebastian  Vizcaino  his  commission  for  the 
expedition  to  the  Californias — dated  23d  July,  1597. 

XII.  Paragraphs  of  a  letter  from  the  Conde  de  Monterey,  Viceroy  of  New 
Spain,  to  the  King  of  Spain,  concerning  the  expedition  to  the  Califor- 
nias and  some  new  matters  which  have  come  to  light  touching  the  same 
— dated  26th  November,  1597. 

XIII.  Lettei-  of  Sebastian  Vizcaino  to  the  King  of  Spain,  announcing  his 
departure  from  Acapulco  on  the  expedition  for  the  exploration  of  the 
coast  from  Cape  San  L,iicas  to  Cape  Mendocino— dated  5th  May,  1602. 

XIV.  Letter  of  Sebastian  Vizcaino,  dated  at  Monterey  Bay,  28th  December, 
1602,  giving  some  account  of  what  he  has  seen  and  done  during  his  ex- 
ploration of  the  coast  of  the  Californias. 

XV.  Letter  of  Sebastian  Vizcaino  to  the  King  of  Spain,  announcing  his 
return  from  the  exploration  of  the  coast  of  the  Californias,  as  far  as  the 
forty-second  degree  of  north  latitude — dated  23d  May,  1603. 

XVI.     Letter  of  Fray  Junipero  Serra,  President  of  the  missions  of  California, 

to  Don  Frey  Antonio  Maria  Bucareli  y  Urs6a,   Viceroy  of  New  Spain, 

giving  some  account  of  the  condition  of  the  missions  and  complaining 

of  the  conduct  of  Captain  Perez  and  of  the  Governor — dated  9th  Sep- 

'    tember,   1774. 

XVII.  Letter  of  Fray  Junipero  Serra,  President  of  the  missions  of  California, 
to  Don  Frey  Antonio  Maria  Bucareli  y  Ursua,  Viceroy  of  New  Spain, 
forwarding  the  journal  of  Fray  Juan  Crespi — dated  7th  October,  1774. 

XVIII.  Diary  of  Fray  Tomas  de  la  Peiia  kept  during  the  voya'^e  of  the 
Santiago — dated  28th  August,  J 774. 

XIX.  Journal  of  Fray  Juan  Crespi  kept  during  the  same  voyage — dated  5th 
October,  1774. 


T' 


)y  of  New 

' 

ng  use  of 

n    for  the 

, 

ay  of  New 

le  Califor- 

INTRODUCTION 

r  the  same 

incing  his 

ion  of  the 

ay,  1602. 

December, 
iug  his  ex- 

imcing  his 
s  far  as  the 

California, 
lew  Spain, 
implaining 
d  9th  Sep- 

California, 
•Jew  Spain, 
ler,  1774. 
I'^e  of  the 

-dated  5th 


'T^HE  documents  which  the  Historical  Society  of  Southern  Cali- 
*  fornia  here  offers  to  the  public  will  be  considered,  the  Society 
ventures  to  hope,  welcome  contributions  to  the  treasure  now  laid 
up  m  the  storehouse  of  students  of  the  historj'  of  the  Pacific  coast, 
especially  that  of  California,  and  of  some  interest  to  the  general 
reader.  It  is  believed  that  these  doctiments,  excepting  only  the 
last  two,  the  diaries  of  Fathers  Crespi  and  de  la  Peiia,  have  not 
been  published  heretofore — certainl}'  not  in  this  countr}'. 

The  privilege  of  publishing  these  documents  the  Society  owes  to 
the  kindne.ss  of  Mr.  Adolpli  Sutro,  of  San  Francisco.  Mr.  Sutro 
caused  a  search  for  documents  relating  to  the  historj'  of  California 
to  be  made  in  that  great  magazine  of  Spanish-American  history, 
the  India  archives  of  Seville,  and  his  agents  succeeded  in  unearth- 
ing these  buried  treasures.  They  were  submitted  by  Mr.  Sutro  to 
this  society  for  examination  and  were  found  to  be  of  such  value 
that  the  generosity  of  the  lender  was  taxed  still  further  by  a  request 
that  their  publication  by  the  Society  shotild  be  sanctioned  by  him, 
a  request  which  was  granted  at  once.  In  addition  to  this,  it  is 
well  to  add,  Mr.  Sutro  has  aided  otherwise  and  very  materiallj'  in 
their  publication. 

The  very  voluminous  series  of  books  published,  qtiite  recently, 
by  Mr.  H.  H.  Bancroft,  of  San  Francisco,  contains  a  general 
summary  of  a  very  great  part  of  the  printed  matter  relating  to  the 
history  of  California,  but  it  is  evident  that,  at  least  so  far  as  the 
early  history  of  the  Californian  coast  is  concerned,  only  a  very 
limited  number  of  original  manuscripts,  and  these  easily  accessible 
to  the  public,  were  examined.  If  any  examination  of  the  India 
archives  at  Seville  was  attempted,  it  must  have  been  made  very 
superficially,  for  a  perusal  of  the  books  published  by  Mr.  Bancroft 
will  show  that  of  the  nineteen  documents  now  pritited  the  existence 
of  all  but  two  or  three  was  unknown  to  the  writers  employed  by 
that  gentlem;  and,  possibly  because  the  outlying  province  of 
California  was  of  such  little  importance  to  the  earlier  historians  of 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  Calijornia, 


ii:  I 


!ili   I 


cisatlantic  Spain,  these  documents  escaped  the  notice  of  Torque- 
mada  and  other  Spanish  authors  beyond  whose  researches  the 
writers  referred  to  apparently  have  not  cared  to  venture.  A 
perusal  of  these  Spanish  historians  will  enablethestudent  to  verify 
this  latter  assertion  ;  that  Mr.  Bancroft's  writers  were  equally  care- 
less will  appear  more  fully  in  foot-notes  appended  to  the  documents 
now  published. 

Three  of  the  documents  now  put  in  type  are  printed  from  photo- 
lithographic copies  of  the  originals,  even  the  color  to  which  the 
ink  of  these  originals  has  faded  being  reproduced  carefully,  made 
for  Mr,  Sutro,  in  1883  and  1884,  by  express  permission  of  the  King 
of  Spain,  and  certified  by  the  signature  and  official  seal  of  the 
keeper  of  the  Archive  General  de  Indias  at  Seville.  These  three 
documents  are  the  letter  which  Sebastian  Vizcaino  wrote  at 
Monterey  Bay  on  the  28th  December,  1602,  and  the  two  letters  of 
President  Junipero  vSerra  to  the  Viceroy  of  Mexico.  A  fac-simile 
of  President  Serra  s  letter,  of  7th  October,  1774,  is  given  as  a 
frontispiece  to  this  publication.  The  authenticity  of  the  other  six- 
teen documents  is  unquestionable  also. 

It  has  been  thought  proper  to  print  the  Spanish  verbatim  et 
literatim,  the  capitalization  and  punctuation  also  being  carefully 
adhered  to,  for  in  this  way  the  documents  can  not  but  be  of  more 
value  to  the  scholar.  Translations  are  appended  for  the  use  of  the 
general  reader;  and,  although  at  times  the  meaning  of  the  original 
is  much  obscured  by  the  singularly  involved  and  otherwise 
ungrammatical  style  of  the  writer,  it  is  believed  that  in  the  trans- 
lation, in  every  instance,  the  statements  of  the  writer  have  been 
presented  with  accuracy. 

It  has  been  thought  advisable  to  print  all  the  documents  relating 
to  the  same  subject  together  and  in  the  order  of  their  dates,  the 
repetition  of  matter  contained  in  the  foot-notes  thus  being  avoided. 

GEO.  BUTLER  GRIFFIN, 

President  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


Los  Angeles,  ist  November,  1891. 


Doar.nents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


»f  Torque- 
irches  the 
nture.  A 
it  to  verify 
nally  care- 
iocuments 

om  photo- 
whicli  the 
illy,  made 
if  the  King 
ieal  of  the 
hese  three 
wrote  at 
I  letters  of 
fac-simile 
given  as  a 
I  other  six- 

>erbatim  ef 
y  carefully 
)e  of  more 
:  use  of  the 
he  original 
otherwise 
the  trans- 
have  been 

its  relating 
dates,  the 
g  avoided. 

IFFIN, 

California. 


Document  No.  i. 

r^  ARTA  de  Fray  Andres  Aguirre  al  Ylmo  Ss?  Arzobispo  de  Megico 
^^  participandole  la  conveniencia  de  reconocer  y  descubrir  la 
costa  N.  O.  de  la  Nueva  Espaiia  y  dando  noticias  de  unas  islas 
ricas  y  de  gente  civilizada  d  donde  aporto  una  nave  portuguesa  y 
se  hallan  de  los  35  a  40  grades  de  latitud  norte. 


Ylustrisimo  Senor — Kl  spiritu  Santo  more  siempre  en  la  aninia  de 
viiestra  seiioria  ilustrisima.  el  descubrimiento  que  vuestra  sefioria 
nianda  liacer  assi  para  entender  la  disposicion  de  la  costa,  puertos 
y  calidades  de  la  tierra  y  gente  della,  que  hasta  agora  esta  descub- 
ierta  al  poniente  de  esta  Nueva  Espafia  en  la  mar  del  sur,  como 
para  proseguir  el  descubrimiento  de  aquella  costa  y  tierra  desde 
cuarenta  y  un  grado  de  latitud  adelante  es  de  mucha  ymportancia 
y  muy  necesario  assi  para  la  buelta  de  las  naos  de  las  yslas  filipi- 
nas  y  de  todas  las  partes  del  poniente  como  para  entender  y  saver 
la  disposicion  y  calidad  de  la  tierra  y  gente  de  ella  y  yslas  que  se 
entiende  ay  de  mucha  ymportancia  cercana  a  aquella  costa.  aunque 
las  naos  que  vienen  de  poniente  cada  aiio  al  puerto  de  acapulco 
rreconoscen  aquella  costa  y  a  vista  de  ella  navegan  mas  de  quini- 
entas  leguas,  no  se  save  hasta  agora  que  puertos  6  reparos  tiene 
ymporta  mucho  saverse  para  que  las  naos  que  vienen  necesitadas  de 
rreparar  por  haver  navegado  hasta  aquella  costa  de  dos  mill  leguas 
sin  hazer  escala  en  tierra  alguna  puedan  rreparar  y  proveer  sus 
nee ..  ^ades. 

no  es  de  menor  ymportancia  proseguirse  el  descubrimiento  de 
aquella  costa  de  los  cuarenta  y  un  grados  de  latitud  adelante  para 
entender  los  secretes  della,  porque  tiene  por  cierto  que  es  continente 
con  la  costa  de  la  china  sino  las  divide  un  angosto  estrecho  que  Hainan 
de  anian  que  segun  se  tiene  noticia,  esta  es  lo  ultimo  descubierto  de 
la  costa  de  la  china  en  cinquenta  y  d^s  grados  de  latitud.  en  aquel 
parage  y  en  el  que  ay  de  las  yslas  de  Japon  hasta  lo  ultimo  descu- 
bierto de  nuestra  costa  segun  el  Padre  Fray  Andres  de  Urdaneta 
tuvo  relacion  de  un  capitan  portugues  ay  yslas  muy  ricas  muy 
pobladas  de  gente  de  mucha  policia,  la  qual  rrelacion  yo  bi  y  ley  y 
yendo  el  y  yo  a  Espafia  d  dar  quenta  d  su  magestad  del  subceso  de 
la  primera  Jornada  que  por  su  mandado  hizimos  en  la  qual  se 
descubrieon  y  poblaron  las  yslas  Philipinas  y  se  descubrio  la 
navegacion  y  buelta  de  ellas  d  esta  nueva  espafia,  el  dicho  padre 


8 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  Calif  jrnia. 


dio  esta  relacion  a  su  magestad  y  yo  tome  copia  della  y  la  guarde 
hasta  que  partiendo  de  espana  en  esta  flota  se  perdio  la  nao  en  que 
yo  venia  y  en  ella  se  me  perdio  la  rrelacion  y  todo  lo  que  traia  y  su 
magestad  me  haviaheclio  merced  y  limosna.  L,o  que  en  rresolucion 
contenia  es  lo  siguente. 

"  una  nao  portuguesa  salio  de  malaca  para  las  j'slas  de  Japon  y 
cargo  en  la  ciudad  de  Canton  las»  mercaderias  de  China  y  Uegando 
d  vista  de  Japon  le  dio  un  temporal  poniente  tan  recio  que  no  pudo 
tomar  aquellas  yslas  y  corrio  con  poca  vela  ocho  dias  el  tiempo  muy 
cerrado  sin  haver  rreconocido  tierra  alguna;  al  noveno  dia  abonanzo 
el  tiempo  y  aclaro  y  tuvieron  vista  de  dos  j-slas  grandes,  arribaron 
d  una  dellas  en  un  buen  puerto  poblado  con  una  gran  ciudad  cer- 
cada  de  buen  muro  de  piedra,  esta  van  en  el  puerto  muchos  navios 
grandes  y  medianos,  luego  que  entraron  en  el  puerto  acudio  a  la 
nao  mucha  gente  de  la  tierra  bien  vestidos  }'  tratados  y  mostrando 
d  los  de  la  nao  mucho  amor  y  sabiendo  que  eran  mercaderes  invio 
el  seiior  de  aquella  ysla  y  ciudad  a  dezir  al  capitan  de  la  nao  qu^ 
saliese  y  los  que  quisiese  de  su  gente  en  tierra  y  sin  recelo  alguno 
de  que  se  les  liiciese  agravio,  antes  se  ofrecia  todo  buen  acojimien- 
to  y  llevase  memoria  de  las  mercaderias  que  traia  en  su  nao  porque 
se  las  tomarian  y  rrescatarian  d  su  contento,  el  capitan  comunic6  con 
su  gente  esto  y  se  determino  inviar  a  la  ciudad  al  escribano  dela  nao 
con  la  memoria  de  las  mercaderias  y  dos  mercaderes  uno  portugues 
y  otro  armenio  vecinos  de  Malaca.  El  Seiior  de  la  tierra  los  rresci- 
vio  en  su  casa  que  era  grande  y  bien  edificada  y  los  trato  con  mu- 
cho amor  y  rregalo  y  entendiendose  por  seiias  y  que  la  tierra  era  muy 
abundante  y  rrica  de  plata  y  otras  cosas,  seda  y  ropa  volvieron  el 
escribano  y  el  mercader  portugues  a  la  nao  par  sacar  las  mercader- 
ias en  una  cassa  que  le  dieron  para  ello  y  el  armenio  quedo  con  el 
Sefior  de  la  tierra  y  fue  tratado  con  mucho  rregalo,  hasta  que 
sacadas  las  mercaderias  en  tierra  y  acudiendo  gran  numero  de  gente 
d  rrescatar  ccn  plata  en  gran  cantidad  en  treynta  y  tantos  dias  ven- 
dieron  todas  sus  mercaderias  haciendo  grande  y  rrica  ganancia 
conque  quedaron  todos  muy  rricos  y  cargaron  su  nao  de  plata;  el 
tiempo  que  en  esta  ysla  estnvieron  y  en^^endieron  que  el  seiior  della 
lo  era  de  la  otra  que  estava  a  vista  quatro  leguas  y  de  otras  que 
cerca  dellas  avia  tod.  s  ellas  rricas  de  plata  y  muy  pobladas.  La 
gente  blanca  y  bien  dispuesta  bien  tratada  y  vestida  de  seda  y  rropa 
fina  de  algodon,  gente  amorosa  y  muy  afable.  L,a  lenguadiferente 
de  los  chinos  y  japones  y  facil  de  tomar  porque  en  menos  de  quar- 
enta  dias  que  los  Portugueses  estuvieron  en  aquella  ysla  se  enten- 
dian  con  los  naturales.  Son  aquellas  yslas  abundantes  de  buenos 
mantenimientos,  arroz  que  es  el  pan  que  usan,  aves  como  las  nues- 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


la  guarde 
ao  en  que 
traia  y  su 
•esolucion 

e  Japon  y 

'  llegando 

e  no  pudo 

;mpo  muy 

abonanzo 

arribaron 

udad  cer- 

os  navios 

:udi6  a  la 

nostrando 

eres  invio 

a  nao  qu^ 

lo  alguno 

icojimien- 

ao  porque 

.unic6  con 

)  de  la  nao 

portugues 

losrresci- 

con  mu- 

a  era  muy 

Ivieron  el 

nercader- 

do  con  el 

lasta  que 

)  de  gente 

dias  ven- 

ganancia 

plata;  el 

:nor  della 

)tras   que 

as.       La 

la  y  rropa 

diferente 

de  quar- 

|se  enten- 

e  buenos 

las  uues- 


tras  en  gran  abundahcia,  patos  mansos  y  muchos  puercos,  cabras, 
bufanos  y  mucha  caga  de  venados  y  jabalies  en  gran  abundaucia, 
de  diversas  aves  y  volateria  y  muchos  pescados  y  buenos  y  grande 
abundancia  de  frutas  de  muchas  diferencias  :  el  temple  de  la  tierra 
muy  bueno  y  sano.  estan  aquellas  yslas  de  treynta  y  ciuco  grados  a 
quarenta  no  se  puede  entender  la  longitud  del  japon  d  ellas  por 
aver  corrido  con  tormentas  y  el  tiempo  muy  cerrado  y  oscuro. 
Corrieron  de  japon  d  levante  y  echo  su  rrescate  volvieron  d  Malaca 
pusieron  por  nombre  d  estas  yslas  por  respeto  del  mercader  armenio 
que  entre  la  gente  de  la  nao  era  muy  respetado,  yslas  de  harmenio. " 
Esto  es  lo  que  de  la  rrelacion  tengo  de  memoria  assi  para  descubrir 
estas  yslas  como  otras  en  aquel  parage  y  golfo.  Como  para  lo  demas 
de  aquella  costa  es  de  mucha  iraportancia  hacerse  este  descubrimi- 
ento  para  lo  hacer  seran  muj'  acomodadas  las  dos  acabras  del  porte 
y  fabrica  que  don  Juan  de  Guzman  dixere,  como  r^uien  tanibien  lo 
entiende  en  lo  qual  y  en  todo  lo  demas  tocantedesta  Jornada  pueda 
vuestra  senoria  ilustrisma  seguir  su  parecer  suplique  d  nuestro  seiior 
sea  para  gran  servicio  suUo  y  de  su  Magestad.  Ylustrisimo  Senor. 
De  vuestra  senoria  ilustrisima  manor  capelan.  fray  Andres  de 
Aguirre. 


TRANSLATION. 

Letter  of  Fray  Andres  de  Aguirre  to  the  Most  Illustrious  Lord 
Archbishop  of  Mexico,  bringing  to  his  notice  the  usefulness  of 
exploring  the  northwest  coast  of  New  Spain  and  giving  information 
of  some  rich  islands,  inhabited  by  civilized  people,  where  a  Portu- 
guese ship  touched,  and  which  are  in  from  35  to  40  degrees  of  north 
latitude. 

Most  Illustrious  Lord  :  May  the  Holy  Spirit  ever  dwell  in  the 
soul  of  your  most  illustrious  lordship.  The  voyage  of  discovery 
which  your  lordship  orders  to  be  made,  as  well  for  the  purpose  of 
gaining  a  knowledge  of  the  coast  and  harbors,  and  the  quality  of  the 
land  and  condition  of  its  people,  to  the  present  time  discovered  to 
the  westward  of  this  New  Spain  in  the  South  Sea,  as  for  the  further 
prosecution  of  the  exploratiMi  of  that  coast  and  region  beyond 
the  forty-first  degree  of  latituWe,  is  of  great  importance  and  very 
necessary  in  connection  with  the  return  voyage  of  vessels  from  the 


I'i' 


lO 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


Hill!  I 


III 


Philippines  and  all  parts  of  the  west,  and  for  the  purpose  of  under- 
standing and  knowing  the  lay  of  the  land  and  its  qualities  and 
those  of  its  people  and  of  the  islands  of  great  importance  which  are 
understood  to  lie  near  that  coast.  Although  the  ships  which  come 
every  year  from  the  west  to  the  port  of  Acapulco  make  a  landfall  on 
that  coast  and  sail  within  sight  of  it  for  more  than  five  hundred 
leagues,  to  the  present  time  it  is  not  known  what  harbors  or  places 
where  repairs  can  be  made  it  has.  It  is  very  important  to  know 
this,  so  that  the  ships  which  come  needing  repairs,  after  reaching 
that  coast  from  a  distance  of  two  thousand  leagues,  without 
touching  anywhere,  may  be  repaired  and  their  needs  may  be 
provided  tor. 

Nor  is  it  of  less  importance  that  the  exploration  of  that  coast  be 
continued  beyond  forty-one  degrees  of  latitude  in  order  that  its 
secrets  may  be  revealed,  for  it  is  held  as  certain  that  it  is  a  portion 
of  the  same  continent  as  that  of  China,  unless  it  be  that  they  are 
separated  by  a  narrow  strait  called  Anian,'  which,  according  to 
notices  had,  is  in  that  part  of  the  coast  of  China  lately  explored,  in 
fifty-two  degrees  of  latitude.  In  that  region,  and  lying  between  the 
Japanese  islands  and  that  portion  of  our  coast  recently  discovered, 
according  to  the  narrative  of  a  Portuguese  captain  which  Father 
Fray  Andres  de  Urdaneta^  had  in  his  possession,  there  are  ver3'rich 
islands  very  thickly  populated  by  people  of  urbane  customs.  This 
narrative  I  saw  and  read  while  he  and  myself  were  going  to  Spain 
in  order  to  give  to  His  Majesty  an  account  of  the  success  of  the 

1.  At  this  time  nil  navigators  believed  in  tlie  existence  of  a  strait  by  which 
pomraunieation  could  be  had  between  the  Atlantic  and  the  Pacific.  It  was  the  hope  of  find- 
ing this  means  of  escape  with  his  booty-laden  ship  that  brought  Francis  Droke  to  the  Califor- 
nian  coast  iu  lo79.  Lor"n.70  Ferrer  de  Maldonado  claimed  that,  in  1588,  he  entered  the 
strait  on  the  coast  of  Labrador  and  emerged  at  tlie  Pacific  end  in  latitude  sixty.  Juan  de 
Knca  asserted  that,  in  159L',  he  entered  the  strait  from  the  Pacific  in  latitude  forty-seven, 
and  that  he  sailed  through  it  to  the  Atlantic,  liut  this  elusive  strait  was  pushed  farther 
and  farther  to  the  northward  until  at  length  it  has  become  Bering's  strait  and  the  north- 
west passage. 

2.  In  his  youth  and  early  manhood  Andres  do  Crdanefa  had  been  a  soldier,  and  was 
famous  as  a  navigator  and  cosmographer,  and  he  had  sailed  in  this  capacity  in  one  of  the 
ships  which,  under  the  command  of  Garcia  de  Loaisa,  had  visited  the  Philippines  and 
other  islands  of  the  South  Sea.  In  1.5fi3  the  King  of  Spain  ordered  Viceroy  Velasco.  of  New 
Spain,  to  send  colonists  for  the  settlement  of  the  Philippines.  Meanwhile  Captain 
Urdaneta  had  entered  the  order  of  Austin  friars  at  the  city  of  Mexico.  He  and  five 
of  his  brethren,  among  whom  was  Andres  de  Agnirre,  the  writer  of  this  letter,  were 
selected  to  go  on  the  expedition  as  missionaries.  The  command  was  given  to  Miguel 
Qomez  de  T.egazpi,  a  resident  of  the  city  of  Mexico;  and,  on  the  ^Ist  November,  1«.'J4, 
e  fleet  of  four  vessels  sailed  from  the  port  of  Navidad|  in  Oolima  for  the  islands. 
This  was  the  expedition  which  founded  Manilla.  Orders  had  been  given  to  Gomez  de 
Legazpi  for  the  determination,  if  possiblo,  of  a  practicoble  return  route  from  the  islands 
to  New  Spain.  On  the  1st  June,  1565,  the  flagship,  the  >S'an  Pedro,  under  command  of 
Felipe  Salcedo,  a  youth  of  sixteen  years  of  age  and  grandson  of  the  commander,  was  dig- 
patcned  from  Zebi'i  for  that  purpose,  and  Fathers  Urdaneta  and  Agnirre  sailed  In  her.  The 
course  of  the  San  Peiho  was  eastward  to  the  Ladrones,  thence  northward  to  latitude  US" 
north,  and  thence,  with  a  favoring  slant  of  wind,  eastward  to  the  American  coast,  the  ship 
making  a  landfall  somewhere  to  the  northward  of  what  is  now  Monterey  Bay.  The  voyage 
was  long  and  disastrous.  The  ship  had  sailed  with  a  crew  verv  limited  in  number;  during 
the  voyage  Salcedo,  the  navigating  oftlcer  and  fourteen  others  died;  and,  when  at  length 
she  arrived  at  Acapulco,  there  were  not  sufficient  able-bodied  men  on  board  to  bring  her  to 
nn  anchor.  The  two  friars  had  tended  the  sick  ^p  shriven  the  dying,  had  navigated  and 
Kt«ered  the  ship  and  had  prepared  from  day  to  d^the  chart  which  was  used,  for  many 
years  afterwards,  by  the  navigating  officers  of  Manilla  galleons. 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


II 


;  of  under- 
alities  and 
which  are 
/hich  come 
landfall  on 
e  hundred 
s  or  places 
it  to  know 
r  reaching 
5,  without 
s   ma)'   be 

t  coast  be 
er  that  its 
s  a  portion 
t  they  are 
cording  to 
xplored, in 
etween  the 
liscovered, 
ich  Father 
e  verj'  rich 
)ms.  This 
I  to  Spain 
ess  of  the 

ait  by  which 
e  hope  of  find- 
to  the  Califor- 
entcred  the 
ty.     Juan  de 
forty-seven, 
shed   farther 
ind  the  north- 


iier,  and  was 
in  one  of  the 
ilippiues  and 
lasco,  of  New 
liile  Captain 

He  and  five 

letter,  were 
en  to  Miguel 
V ember,  ISM, 

the  islands, 
to  Gomez  de 
m  the  islands 
command  of 
der,  was  dis- 
l  in  her.    The 

latitude  im* 
3a.st,  the  ship 
The  voyage 
mber;  during 
len  at  length 
)  bring  her  to 
avigated  and 
ed,  for  many 


first  voyage  we  made  by  his  order,  during  which  the  Philippine 
islands  were  discovered  and  settled''  and  the  manner  of  navigating 
thither  and  of  making  the  return  voyage  thence  to  New  Spain  was 
determined. 

The  said  father  gave  this  narrative  to  His  Majesty  and  I  made  a 
copy  of  it,  which  I  kept  until,  leaving  Spain  in  this  fleet,  the  ship 
in  which  I  came  was  lost,  and  in  it  the  narrative  and  all  I  was 
bringing  with  me,  on  which  account  His  Majesty  gave  me  a 
reward  and  alms.  What  in  effect  the  narrative  contained  is  as 
follows  : 

"A  Portuguese  ship  sailed  from  Malacca  for  the  islands  of  Japan 
and  at  the  city  of  Canton  took  on  board  Chinese  goods.  Arriving 
within  sight  of  Japan  she  encountered  a  storm  coming  from  the 
west,  so  severe  that  it  was  impossible  to  fetch  those  islands  and 
she  ran  before  it  under  very  little  sail  for  eight  days,  the  weather 
being  very  thick  and  no  land  having  been  seen.  On  the  ninth  day 
the  storm  was  spent  and  the  weather  cleared,  and  they  made  two 
large  islands.  They  reached  one  of  these  at  a  good  port  well  peo- 
pled, there  being  a  great  city  surrounded  by  a  good  stone  wall. 
There  were  many  large  and  medium  sized  vessels  in  port.  Imme- 
diately on  their  entering  the  harbor  there  flocked  to  the  ship  a 
great  number  of  persons  well-dressed  and  cared  for  and  manifest- 
ing much  affection  for  the  people  of  the  ship.  The  lord  of  that 
island  and  city,  learning  that  they  were  merchants,  sent  to  the 
captinn  of  the  ship  to  say  that  he  and  those  of  his  people  he  might 
select  should  come  ashore  without  any  fear  that  they  would  do 
them  harm.  On  the  contrary,  he  assured  them,  they  should  be 
received  well,  and  he  requested  that  they  should  bring  with  them 
the  manifest  of  the  goods  the  ship  brought,  for  they  would  take 
them  and  trade  for  them  to  their  content.  The  captain  communi- 
cated this  to  his  people,  and  it  was  resolved  that  the  notary  of  the 
ship  should  be  sent  ashore  with  the  manifest  and  two  merchants, 
one  a  Portuguese  and  the  other  an  Armenian,  residents  of  Malacca. 
The  lord  of  the  land  received  them  in  his  house,  which  was  large 
and  well  built,  and  treated  them  with  affection,  making  them 
presents,  they  understanding  one  another  by  signs.  The  land  was 
very  rich  in  silver  and  other  things,  silk  and  clothing.  The  notary 
and  the  Portuguese  merchant  returned  to  the  ship  in  order  to  land 
merchandise  and  store  it  in  a  building  which  was  assigned  to  them 

3.  Friar  Andres  is  in  error  here,  for  the  Philippines  were  discovered  by  Magelfaaens 
in  1521,  in  the  course  of  his  famous  voyage,  and  it  was  on  one  of  these  islands  that  he  lost 
his  life  in  a  siiirmish  with  the  natives.  Probably  it  was  some  error  similar  to  this  which 
led  a  writer  employed  by  Mr.  H,  H.  Bancroft  to  assert  that  the  Philippines  were  di«- 
covered  by  the  expedition  under  Ruy  Lopez  de  Villalobos,  which  sailed  from  NaUvidad  in 
New  Spain,  in  November,  151,1!  Bee  History  ojthe  Pacific  States,  x,  p.  130  (table  of  contents  ol 
cap.  VI)  and  the  text  on  p.  137. 


u 


13 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


for  tliat  purpose,  while  the  Arineniati  remained  with  the  lord  of 
the  land  and  was  treated  very  hospitablj-.  The  merchandise  hav- 
ing been  taken  ashore,  and  a  vast  number  of  persons  coming  to 
purchase  it,  bringing  a  great  quantity  of  silver,  it  came  to  pass 
that  in  some  thirty  daj'S  they  sold  all  the  goods,  making  great 
gains,  so  that  all  became  very  rich,  and  they  loaded  the  ship  with 
silver.  During  the  time  that  they  were  on  the  island  they  learned 
that  the  lord  was  suzerain  of  the  other  island  also,  which  was 
within  sight,  four  leagues  away,  and  of  others  which  were  near  to 
these,  all  being  rich  in  silver  and  very  populous.  This  people  is 
white  and  well-formed,  well  cared  for  and  clothed  in  silk  and  fine 
clothing  of  cotton;  an  affectionate  and  very  affable  people.  The 
language  differs  from  that  of  the  Chinese  as  well  as  that  of  the 
Japanese,  and  is  readily  learned,  for,  in  less  than  in  forty  days 
that  the  Portuguese  passed  on  the  island,  they  were  able  to  con- 
verse with  the  natives.  These  islands  abound  in  the  means  of 
maintaining  life  well — rice,  which  is  the  bread  they  use;  fowls  like 
ours  in  great  number;  tame  ducks  and  many  hogs ;  goats  ;  buffa- 
loes and  deer  and  wild  boars  in  great  abundance  ;  various  birds 
and  game  and  fishes  many  and  good,  and  a  great  plenty  of  many 
kinds  of  fruit.  The  climate  of  the  land  is  very  good  and  healthy. 
These  islands  are  in  from  thirty-five  to  forty  degrees.  The  differ- 
ence in  longitude  between  them  and  Japan  cannot  be  arrived  at, 
because  they  had  run  before  the  gale  and  the  weather  was  very 
thick  and  obscure.  Thej'  ran  from  Japan  to  the  eastward;  and, 
having  disposed  of  their  merchandise,  they  returned  to  Malacca. 
They  named  these  islands,  out  of  regard  for  the  Armenian  merchant, 
who  was  greatly  respected  by  the  people  of  the  ship,  'Isles  of  the 
Armenian.'  "  This  is  as  much  of  the  narrative,  as  I  remember 
it,  as  will  serve  for  the  discovery  of  these  islands  as  well  as  others 
in  that  region  and  corner  of  the  sea.  As  regards  the  rest  of  that 
coast,  it  is  very  important  that  this  exploration  should  be  made; 
and  for  this  purpose  two  vessels  of  the  burthen  and  build  which 
Don  Juan  de  Guzman  may  determine  will  serve.  With  regard  to  who 
should  take  part  in  the  decision  of  this  matter,  as  well  as  in  all 
things  concerning  this  exploration,  your  most  illustrious  lordship 
will  follow  his  own  judgment.  I  pray  Our  Lord  that  this  may  be 
for  his  great  service  and  that  of  His  Majesty.  Most  Illustrious 
Lord  :  From  the  least  chaplain  of  your  most  illustrious  lordship. 

Fray  Andres  de  Aguirre.* 

4.  This  letter  is  not  dated.  It  is  addressed  to  the  Archbishop  of  Mexico,  and  Father 
Aguirre  mentions  that  his  lordship  ordered  a  voyaRe  to  be  made  to  the  northwest  coast. 
On  the  '.iSth  September,  1584,  Pedro  de  Moya  y  Contrerus,  who  had  succeeded  Alonso  de 
Montiifar  in  the  archeplscopal  see,  became  sixth  yiceroy  of  New  Spain  and  go  verned  as 
such  until  the  18th  October,  1585.    lam  Inclined  to  think,  therefore,  that  this  letter  must 


Documents  from  the  Siitro  Collection. 


n 


le    lord  of 
idise  hav- 
cotuing  to 
le  to   pass 
citig  great 
ship  with 
ey  learned 
fcrhich   was 
re  near  to 
people  is 
!k  and  fine 
pie.      The 
hat   of  the 
forty   days 
le   to  con- 
means  of 
;  fowls  like 
ats  ;  buffa- 
ious   birds 
y'  of  many 
d  healthy, 
rhe  differ- 
arrived  at, 
was  very 
vard;  and, 
Malacca, 
merchant, 
sles  of  the 
remember 
as  others 
St  of  that 
be   made; 
lild  which 
ard  to  who 
1  as  in  all 
IS  lordship 
is  may  be 
Illustrious 
ordship. 

and  Father 
rthwest  coast, 
ed  Alonso  de 
1  go  verned  as 
a  letter  must 


Document  No.  2. 

^APlTUIyO  de  una  carta  del  Virey  de  la  Nueva  Espafia  el  Mar- 
^-^  ques  de  Villamanrique  d  S.  M.  esponiendo  lo  que  considera 
oportuno  referente  al  descubrimiento  de  las  costas  de  lamardelsur 
y  dando  noticia  de  una  embarcacion  que  sale  con  este  intento,  su 
fecha  de  10  de  Mayo  de  1585. 

14.  Dice  vue.stra  magestad  en  la  misma  carta,  en  el  capitulo 
segundo  della  que  ansi  mismo  escribio  el  arzobi.spo  que  los  navios 
que  vienen  de  las  Filipinas  reconocen  la  costa  de  e.sta  tierra  sete- 
cientas  leguas  y  mas  y  menos  antes  de  llegar  al  puerto  de  gapulco 
y  vienen  ansi  a  vista  de  tierra  y  que  como  no  saven  los  puertos  de 
toda  esta  costa  aunque  tienen  necesidad  de  tomar  tierra  para  rreparar 
los  navios  y  proveerse  de  agua  y  otras  cosas  no  lo  pueden  hacer  ni 
tienen  donde  ampararse  de  tiempos  contraros  que  de  ordinario  corren 
por  aquellas  partes  y  que  lo  mismo  sucede  a  los  navios  que  antes 
de  llegar  a  la  costa  padecen  temporal  u  otras  necesidades  que  por 
no  tener  puerto  en  ella  buelven  arribar  a  las  yslas  de  donde  salieron 
y  que  para  que  esto  cesase  y  vuestra  magestad  tuviese  noticia  de  to- 
da aquella  costa  que  algunos  dicen  corre  hasta  confinar  con  la  tierra 
firme  de  la  china  y  otros  que  acava  en  el  estrecho  que  llaman  dt 
anian  que  va  a  .salir  al  parage  de  irlanda,  havia  mandado  hazer 
dos  fragatas  para  que  saliesen  a  reconocer  buscar  y  descubrir  todos 
los  puertos  e  yslas  rrios,  montes  e  avitaciones  que  ay  e  de  que  len- 
guas  e  gentes  era  abitada  e  poblada  e  de  su  modo  de  vivir  y  que 
frutos  y  aprovechamientos  tienen  graduandolo  y  descubriendolo 
todo  y  que  para  ello  tenia  piloto  y  cosmografo  muy  bueno  y  que 
demas  de  lo  sobredicho  por  esta  via  y  d  menos  costa  que  por  tierra 

have  been  wntteiJ  during  the  twelvemonth  indicated.  After  the  latter  date  no  prelate 
became  viceroy  until  Archbishop  Garcia  Guerra  succeeded  Don  Luis  de  Velasco,  and  he 
ruled  from  the  month  of  June,  1611,  until  his  death  in  February,  1612.  He  gave  no  orders 
Jor  a  voyage  to  the  northwest  coast;  and  Father  Aguirre,  if  he  were  still  living  in  1611, 
must  have  been  quite  aged.  Moreover  it  is  not  probable  that  Father  Aguirre  would  have 
allowed  so  many  years  to  pass  before  making  the  narrative  of  the  Portuguese  captain 
known  to  the  viceroy  of  New  Spain.  In  fact,  an  allusion  in  one  of  the  documents  contained 
iu  this  volume  indicates  that  the  story  of  the  "Isles  of  the  Armenian"  was  known  to  the 
authorities  of  New  Spain  shortly  after  the  time  of  Moya  y  Contr6ras.  The  narrative  itself 
appears  to  be  just  such  a  yarn  as  navigators  have  been  given  to  spinning  for  several  thou- 
sand years.  Possibly  the  story  was  told  to  the  Spaniards  by  one  of  a  rival  nation  for  the 
purpose  of  putting  them  on  a  false  scent,  for  in  those  days  all  sailors,  and  landsmen  as 
well,  believed  firmly  that  the  seas  were  full  of  undiscovered  islands  Inhabited  by  peoples 
rich  beyond  compare.  As  a  matter  of  fact  there  are  no  such  islands  as  those  of  which  the 
sailor  gives  a  description.  A  ship  sailing  from  Canton  to  within  sightof  Japan  and  thence 
running  before  a  gale  from  the  west  for  eight  days,  on  the  ninth  would  not  be  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  any  islands.  There  is  an  island  called  "Kioa  de  Plata,"  in  latitude  thirty-three 
north,  but  it  is  in  longitude  one  hundred  and  seventy-one  east  of  Greenwich,  more  thau 
forty  degrees  to  the  eastward  of  the  Portuguese  captain's  landfall  in  Japan.  It  is  not  pro- 
bable that  a  ship  of  that  period  could  have  run  that  distance  in  the  time  mentioned;  nor 
lire  any  such  people  or  beasts  as  those  described  by  Father  Aguirre  to  be  found  on  "Rica 
de  Plata." 


14 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


!!L! 


1 

' 

se  podria  conuuiicar  el  nuevo  megico  eii  estaiulo  poblado  como  se 
colige  de  la  relacioii  que  de  aquello  avia  dado  Antonio  despejo  y  si 
quando  yo  llegase  huviesen  salido  estas  tragatas  que  esperase  el 
suceso  y  avisase  d  vuestra  niagestad  y  que  tio  siendo  ydas  provea 
lo  necesario  y  que  para  lo  de  adelante  en  cosas  semejantes  quando 
sucediere  no  me  resuelva  en  ejecutarlas  sin  dar  primero  avisso  d 
vuestra  niagestad  si  ya  no  fuese  tan  forzoso  que  ubiere  peligros  en 
la  tardanza.  Lo  que  en  esto  pasa  segun  lo  que  yo  entiendo  de  que 
puedo  dar  queiita  d  vuestra  niagestad  es  que  la  costa  de  la  nueva 
espatla  se  suve  por  la  parte  del  snr  liasta  quarenta  y  dos  grados 
porque  viniendo  de  la  yslas  philipinas  las  naos  de  vuestra  niagestad 
an  tornado  la  tierra  en  aquella  altura  y  hasta  ngora  desde  alii  hasta 
el  puerto  de  gapulco  por  toda  la  costa  no  ha  pared'  conveniente 
hacerse  poblaciones  ni  por  no  las  haver  avido  ni  ;  enido  riesgo 
ningun  navio  y  como  vuestra  niagestad  tiene  relaciou  por  el  viaje 
que  hizo  el  marques  del  valle  d  las  Californiasy  Francisco  Vazquez 
Coronado  a  las  ciudades  de  cibolas,  la  mas  de  aquella  gentey  costa 
es  de  gente  brava,  prove  y  que  se  maiitiene  de  pescar  y  como  el 
poblar  por  agora  podria  tener  inconveniente  y  de  no  lo  aver  liecho 
no  parece  ninguno,  si  vuestra  niagestad  por  agora  fuere  servido  no 
habrd  para  que  tratar  de  ello  y  quando  las  naos  que  salen  de  las 
yslas  philipinas  arriban  escerca  del  puerto  de  nianila  dedonde 
salen  y  antes  que  tomen  altura  porque  en  tomando  alguna  los 
vendavales  que  acerca  del  puerto  los  hacen  arrivar,  essos  les  son 
vientos  frescos  y  buenos  para  venir  d  estos  reynos  y  en  quanto 
aquel  descubrimiento  del  nuevo  mexico  se  puede  comunicar  por 
aquella  mar  y  costa  parece  segun  la  demarcion  que  es  parte  med- 
iterrana  y  asta  agora  no  se  save  que  le  corresponda  la  mar  del  norte, 
6  sur  tan  cerca  que  se  pueda  hacer  lo  que  d  vuestra  niagestad  le  an 
ynformado. 

El  arzobispo  no  hizo  las  fragatas  que  escrivio  que  pensaba  hacer 
y  para  conseguir  lo  pretendia  aviendo  llegado  de  las  yslas  philipi- 
nas y  de  marcar  que  es  la  tierra  firme  de  la  gran  china  el  capitan 
Francisco  gali  que  es  piloto  y  cosmografo  que  refiere  tenia  le  torn6 
a  despachar  en  un  navio  qile  Hainan  Sant  Juan  que  es  de  vuestra 
magestad  y  en  el  que  avia  navegado  y  le  dio  officiales  de  la  nao  y 
marineros  y  diez  mill  pesos  para  que  si  por  ser  viejo  el  navio  en 
que  yba  no  pudiese  seguir  la  derrota  que  le  avia  mandado  en  las 
j'^slas  philipinas  hiziese  otro  y  comprase  lo  necesario  y  demarcase 
la  tierra  firme  del  xapon,  yslas  de  armenio  y  todas  las  demas  que 
tuviese  rrazon  y  noticia  en  aquel  mar  del  sur  y  de  alii  su  viage 
en  la  mayor  altura  que  el  tierapo  le  diese  lugar  hasta  tomar  la 
costa  de  la  nueva  espaiia  y  que  toraada  viniese  por  ella   viendo  la 


tierra  y  p 
eiitera  nc 
dido  lo  q 
me  parec 

MANRIQU 


Paragri 

Marques  i 

deems  tin 

South  Sei 

purpose— 

14.     Y( 

graph  the 

ships  wuii 

land  for  s( 

the  port  o 

and  that, 

there  is  nt 

water  and 

places  for 

which  ord 

regard  to  i 

or  which  .h 

return  to  t 

things  sho 

iiiformatio 

the  main  1 

called  Ani 

built  two  5 

investigati 

mountains 

languages 

tier  of  life  ] 

civilization 

1.  DeGali 
sailed  from  Mii 
Moya  y  ContrOi 
1584.  On  the  IS 
succeeded  him 
liavo  a  letter  fn 


Documents  from  Ihe  Sulro  Collection, 


15 


como  se 
spejo  ysi 
perase  el 
is  provea 
s  quando 
avisso   a 
ligros  en 
do  de  que 
la  nueva 
)S   grados 
niagestad 
alii  hasta 
iiveiiiente 
do  riesgo 
r  el  viaje 
3  Vazquez 
ite  y  costa 

como  el 
ver  hecho 
iervido  no 
en  de  las 

dedonde 
Iguna  los 
OS  les  son 
n  quanto 
nicar  por 
arte  med- 

del  norte, 
stad  le  an 

aba  hacer 

philipi- 

1  capitan 

a  le  torn6 

vuestra 

la  nao  y 

navio   en 

do  en  las 

emarcase 

emas  que 

su  viage 

tomar   la 

viendo  la 


e 


tierra  y  puertos  y  demarcandolo  todo  para  que  se  tenga  de  ello 
entera  noticia  vetiido  que  sea  si  traxera  alguna  relacion  y  etiten- 
(lido  lo  que  ubiere  hecho,  inforniarc  d  vuestra  niagestad  de  lo  que 
me  pareciere  que  conviene  d  su  real  servicio.  Marques  dk  Vili^a- 

MANRIQUK. 


TRANSLATION. 


Paragraph  of  a  letter  from  the  viceroy  of  New  vSpain,  the 
Marques  de  Villamanrique,  to  His  Majesty,  setting  forth  what  he 
deems  timely  with  regard  to  the  exploration  of  the  coasts  of  the 
South  Sea  and  giving  notice  of  a  vessel  about  to  sail'  for  that 
purpose — (i   -cd  loth  May,  15.S5. 

14.  Your  Majesty  says  in  the  same  letter,  in  the  second  para- 
graph thereof :  Furthermore,  also,  the  Archbishop-  wrote  that  the 
ships  wiiich  come  from  the  Philippines  run  along  the  coast  of  this 
land  for  seven  hundred  leagues,  more  or  less,  before  arriving  at 
the  port  of  Acapulco,  and  come  in  this  way  with  the  land  in  sight, 
and  that,  as  the  harbors  of  this  coast  are  not  known,  although 
there  is  need  of  landing,  in  order  to  repair  the  ships  and  to  obtain 
water  and  other  things,  this  cannot  be  done  ;  that  there  are  no 
places  for  shelter  during  the  prevalence  of  the  contrary  winds 
which  ordinarily  prevail  in  those  parts  ;  that  the  same  is  true  with 
regard  to  ships  which,  before  making  the  coast,  encounter  storms 
or  which  suffer  other  disasters,  and  having  no  harbor  there,  they 
return  to  the  islands  whence  they  came  ;  that  this  condition  of 
things  should  cease  and,  in  order  that  Your  Majesty  might  gain 
information  concerning  all  that  coast,  which  some  say  joins  on  to 
the  main  land  of  China  while  others  hold  that  it  ends  at  the  strait 
called  Anian  which  terminates  at  Ireland,  he  had  ordered  to  be 
built  two  ships  which  should  be  sent  out  for  the  expl'>ration, 
investigation  and  discovery  of  all  the  harbors  and  islands,  rivers, 
mountains  and  inhabited  places  there  are  there,  and  what 
languages  are  spoken  and  what  peoples  live  there,  what  their  man- 
ner of  life  may  be,  what  fruits  they  produce  and  what  degree  of 
civilization  they  may  enjoy — all  to  be  explored  and  investigated — 

1.  De  OaU  sailed  on  a  voyage  from  Acapulco  for  the  Philippines  iu  March,  158'_',  aud 
sailed  from  Macao  on  his  return  voyage  in  July,  1584.  The  Archbishop  of  Mexico,  Pedro  do 
Moya  y  ContrOras,  became  I'is/Jarfor  of  Np"  Spain  in  1583  and  sixth  viceroy  in  Scptemljer, 
1584,  OnthelHth  (ictobcr,  158"), Don  Alons^fMauriquede  Zi'ifiiga,  Marques  deVillamanriiiue 
succeeded  him.  These  are  the  dates  given  hy  Mr.  H.  H.  Bancroft's  writers.  Yet  h  re  we 
liave  a  letter  from  the  Marques— as  viceroy— dated  in  Maij,  15S5,  before  his  arrival  in    New 


I  i 


i6 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


m 


ii,i 


..;l 


and  that  for  this  purpose  ht  had  engaged  a  good  navigator  and 
cosmographer;  that  in  addition  to  this,  by  this  route,  and  at  a  less 
cost  than  by  land,  communication  might  be  had  with  New  Mexico, 
on  its  being  settled,  as  may  be  understood  from  the  statement  on 
this  subject  that  had  been  made  by  Antonio  Despejo;  and  that,  if 
on  my  arrival  these  ships  had  sailed,  I  should  await  the  result  of 
the  voyage  and  advise  Your  Majesty  of  the  same,  but.  if  they  had 
not  sailed,  I  should  proceed  as  might  be  necessary  in  the  case, 
while  in  future,  under  similar  circumstances  that  might  arise,  I 
Siiould  not  resolve  on  the  execution  of  anything  before  consulting 
Your  Majesty,  provided  the  matter  was  not  so  urgent  that  there 
might  be  danger  in  delay.  What  there  is  in  this  matter — as  I 
understand  the  facts — of  which  I  can  give  an  account  to  Your 
Majesty  is  this  :  On  the  south  the  coast  of  New  Spain  reaches  to 
forty-two  degrees,  for  Your  Majesty's  ships,  coming  from  the 
Philippine  islands,  make  a  landfall  in  that  latitude  ;  and,  until 
now,  from  that  point  to  the  port  of  Acapulco,  along  the  whole  coast 
it  has  not  seemed  convenient  to  make  settlements  in  order  that, 
there  being  none,  no  ship  might  encounter  peril.  From  the  reports 
of  the  voyage  to  Californias  made  by  the  Marques  del  Valle^  and 
the  expedition  of  Francisco  Vazquez  CoronadoHo  the  cities  of  Cibola 
Your  Majesty  has  learned  that  the  greater  part  of  the  people  on 
that  coast  is  a  savage  people  eking  out  a  scanty  living  by  fishing  ; 
and,  as  it  might  be  inconvenient  to  make  .settl'=»ments  there  just 
now,  while  from  not  having  done  so  no  inconvenience  has  arisen, 
there  is  no  need,  for  the  present  service  of  Your  Majesty,  to  treat 
of  that  matter.  When  the  ships  which  sail  from  the  Philippine 
islands  reach  the  neighborhood  of  the  port  of  Manilla,  whence  they 
sail  before  getting  their  northing,'  the  southeasterly  winds  which 
aid  them  in  arriving  there  are  also  favorable  and  good  for  coming 
to  these  kingdoms.  And  as  to  the  exploration  of  New  Mexico, 
and  whether  communication  can  be  had  by  that  sea  and  coast,  it 
appears  from  the  demarcation  of  tlie  same  that  it  is  an  inland 
region,  and  it  is  yet  unknown  whether  it  be  nearer  to  the  southern 
sea  or  to  the  northern  sea  for  the  purposes  of  that  concerning 
which  Your  Majesty'  has  been  informed. 

Soain,  probably  before  his  departure  from  Spain.  Can  It  be  possible  that  Mr.  Bancroft's 
writers  are  in  error  in  this  matter  of  dates;  I*^  is  evident,  however,  that  de  Gali  had 
returned  from  his  voyage  to  the  I'hilippinos,  andtiiat  the  Archbishop  dispatched  him,  or 
was  about  to  dispatch  him,  (theSpanish  is  «a?f— "sails")  on  another  voyage.  Of  thissecoud 
voyage  no  mention  is  m,-'ii-  .  •  the  boolis  published  by  Mr.  H.  H.  Bancroft. 

"2.    Archbishop  de    Moya  y  CcntrC-ras,  the  same  to  whom  Fray  Andres  de  Agulrre 
add-essed  the  letter  contuiuing  the  yarn  about  the  "islands  of  the  Armenian." 

3.  The  voyage  of  Cortes  in  1535. 

4.  Vazquez  Coronado's  exjpedition  of  1540  to  the  Zufii  and  Moiiui  countries. 

5.  Meaning  that,  after  sailing  nortlnvard  to  the  latitude  of  Manilla  on  the  return  voy- 
age to  Now  Hpaiu,  they  sailed  still  fpnher  northward— in  fact,  to  a  point  some  three  hun- 
dred miles  to  the  northward  and  eastward  of  the  southern  end  of  Japan— before  striking 
he  current  flowing  to  the  eastward  and  a  favorable  slant  of  wind. 


Documents  from  the  Sutra  Collection. 


17 


gator  and 
i  at  a  less 
w  Mexico, 
tement  on 
id  that,  if 
:  result  01 
:  they  had 
the  case, 
it  arise,  I 
consulting 
that   there 
itter — as  I 
t   to  Your 
reaches  to 
from   the 
and,  until 
vhole  coast 
Drder  that, 
the  reports 
Valle'   and 
es  of  Cibola 
people   on 
)y  fishing  ; 
there  just 
las  arisen, 
to  treat 
Philippine 
lence  they 
nds  which 
for  coming 
iv   Mexico, 
d  coast,  it 
an   inland 
e  southern 
concerning 


Mr.  Bancroft's 
I  de  Gali  had 
tchcd  hlin,  or 
Of  thlBsecoud 

\'s  de  Aguirre 


It's. 

he  return  voy- 
)nie  three  huu- 
efore  strlkiutr 


The  Archbishop  did  not  build  the  ships  which  he  wrote  he 
thought  of  building ;  and,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  his  plan 
into  effect,  Captain  Francisco  Gali,  the  navigator  and  cosmographer 
to  whom  he  referred,  having  arrived  from  the  Philippines  and  the 
demarcation  of  the  main  land  of  Great  China,  he  determined  upon 
dispatching  him  in  a  ship  called  San  Juan  belonging  to  Your 
Majesty,  accompanied  by  that  in  which  he  had  come,  and  he 
furnished  to  him  naval  officers  and  sailors  and  ten  thousand  dollars, 
so  that,  if  the  ship  in  which  he  went,  because  it  was  so  old,  could 
not  make  the  voyage  ordered  to  be  made,  he  might  build  another 
at  the  Philippine  islands  and  purchase  what  might  be  necessary,  in 
order  that  he  might  make  the  demarcation  of  the  mainland  of  Japan, 
the  islands  of  the  Armenian*  and  all  others  in  ti:at  part  of  the 
South  Sea  of  which  he  might  have  information,  and  then  make  his 
way  as  far  to  the  northward  as  the  weather  would  permit  and  until 
he  made  the  coast  of  New  Spain  ;  and,  this  landfall  being  made, 
that  he  should  come  home  ward  along  this  coast,  examining  the  land 
and  harbors,  mapping  and  noting  all — so  that  there  be  a  complete 
account  of  it.  When  he  arrives,  should  he  bring  anj'  report,  and 
on  my  learning  what  he  may  have  accomplished,  I  shall  inform 
Your  Majesty  of  what  may  seem  to  me  proper  for  your  royal 
service. 

Marques  de  Villamanrioue. 


Document  No.  3. 


CAPITUI<0  de  una  carta  del  Virey  de  la  Nueva  Espatia  Don 
Luis  de  Velazco  a  S.  M.  fecha  en  Mexico  d  6  Abril  de 
1 594  referente  a  cargar  a  Sebastian  Rodriguez  Cermeiio  el  recono- 
cimiento  de  las  costas  de  la  mar  del  sur  segun  lo  dispuesto  por  su 
magestad. 

Por  un  capitulo  de  carta  que  vuestra  magestad  mando  escrivirme 
en  17  de  henero  de  1593  manda  que  se  descubran  y  demarquen  los 
puertos  del  viaje  destas  yslas  para  la  seguridad  de  las  naos  que  ban 
y  bienen  y  supuesto  que  para  hacerlo  hera  menester  navioydinero, 
6  d  lo  menos  permitir  d  la  gente  alguna  inteligencia  6  negociacion 
de  las  que  vuestra  magestad  tiene  prohibidas  fMi  que  pudiesen  ser 


6.    Frav   Andres  de  Agulrre's  yarn,  which  was  told  to  Urdaneta  by  the   Portuguese 
captain,  and  by  bim  to  tb«  Ktni;  of  Spain,  seems  to  have  been  considered  credible. 


!     i| 


i8 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


aprovecliados  cotifonne  a  su  trabajo,  y  se  compro  el  navio  San 
Pedro  con  que  hiciesen  el  descubrimiento  c^e  tornaviaje  encasoque 
los  navios  que  el  afio  pa.sado  fueron  6  alguno  dellos  hayafaltado,  y 
ordene  al  piloto  que  agora  ba  en  la  capitana  que  se  llama  Sebastian 
Rodriguez  Cermefio,  y  es  hombre  platico  en  la  carrera,  seguro  y 
que  tiene  posible,  aunque  portugues  porque  no  los  ay  deste  officio 
castellanos,  que  haga  el  descubrimiento  3-  demarcacion  y  le  ofresi 
que  como  lo  hiciese  assi  lo  haria  la  gratificacion  de  mercancias,  que 
escribi  al  gobernador  le  permitiese  cargar  en  el  navio  algunas 
toneladas  de  ropa  para  que  se  aproveche  de  ]js  fletes  y  le  hiciese 
dar  todo  lo  que  o\'iese  menester  para  el  efecto,  de  lo  que  hiciere 
dare  aviso  a  vuestra  niagestad  a  su  tiempo. 


way  of  t 
that  he 
cloth  in 
and  I  ca 
pose,  an 
in  due  s 


CAPI' 
Vir« 
1596  dan 


|i-::i 


I 


TRANSLATION. 

Paragraph  of  a  letter  of  the  Viceroy  of  New  Spain.  Don  Luis  de 
Velasco,  to  His  Majesty,  dated  at  Mexico,  6th  April,  1594,  with 
regard  to  putting  Sebastian  Rodriguez  Cermefio  in  charge  of  the 
survey  of  the  coasts  of  the  South  Sea,  according  to  the  disposition 
made  hy  His  Majesty. 

In  a  paragraph  of  the  letter  which,  on  tlie  i7tli  of  January, 
1593,  Your  Majesty  ordered  to  be  written  to  me,  it  is  ordered  that 
a  survey  and  demarcation  of  the  harbors  to  be  found  on  the  voyage 
to  and  from  these  islands'  be  made,  with  a  view  to  the  safety  of  the 
.ships  which  come  and  go  ;  and,  a  ship  and  money  being  necessan,' 
for  this  purpose,  or,  at  least  permission  to  engage  in  ventures  now 
prohibited  by  Your  Majesty,  in  such  manner  that  the  gain  would 
compensate  the  labor,  tho  ship  San  Pedro  was  bought,  in  which 
the  exploration  might  be  made  on  the  return  voyage, provided  that 
the  .ships  which  sailed  last  year,  or  .some  one  of  them,  had  failed  to 
do  this  ;  and  I  ordered  the  navigator  who  at  present  sails  in  the 
flag-ship,  who  is  named  Sebastian  Rodriguez  Cermefio  and  who  is 
a  man  of  ex^  .ience  in  his  calling,  one  who  can  be  depended  upon 
and  who  has  means  of  his  own — although  he  is  a  Portuguese, 
there  being  no  Spaniards  of  his  profession  who.se  services  are  avail- 
able— that  he  should  make  the  exploration  and  demarcation,  and  I 
offered,  if  he  would  do  this,  to  give  him  his  remuneration  in  the 

1.    The  Phllippiui'.s. 


El  mie 

barco  qu( 

piloto,  qi 

dieron  ni 

ha  perdid 

un  fraile 

tenta  hor 

estos  pon 

Cermefio 

y  entiend 

viaje  y  pe 

que  con  j 

esta  y  el  ' 

caderias, 

per  milag 


Paragra 
Viceroy  o 
giving  tid 

2.    The  Kc 
1.    This  V, 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  CollectioJi. 


tg 


lavio  San 
1  caso  que 
altado,  y 
Sebastian 

seguro  y 
ste  officio 

le  ofresi 
ticias,  que 
o  algunas 
le  hiciese 
lie  hiciere 


)n  Luis  de 
[594,  with 
rge  of  the 
iispositioti 


January, 
dered  that 
:he  voyage 
afety  of  the 
necessan' 
tures  now 
ain  would 
in  which 
)vided  that 
ad  failed  to 
ails  in  the 
nd  who  is 
nded  upon 
ortuguese, 
s  are  avail - 
tion,  and  I 
ion  in  the 


way  of  taking  on  board  merchandise  ;  and  I  wrote  to  the  governor* 
that  he  should  allow  him  to  put  on  board  the  ship  some  tons  of 
cloth  in  order  that  he  might  have  the  benefit  of  the  freight-money, 
and  I  caused  him  to  be  given  all  that  might  be  needed  for  the  pur- 
pose, and  concerning  what  he  may  do  I  shall  advise  Your  Majesty 
in  due  season. 


Document  No.  4. 

/'^APITULO  de  carta  de  los  oficiales  reales  de  Acapulco,  al 
^-^  Virey  de  Nueva  Espaiia,  fecha  en  Acapulco  a  i"  de  Febrerode 
1596  dando  noticia  de  la  perdida  de  la  nao  San  Agustin. 

El  miercoles  31  de  henero  de  este  ?fio  entro  en  este  puerto  un 
barco  que  Uaman  en  Philipinas  Viroco  y  en  el  Joan  de  Morgana 
piloto,  quatro  espafioles  marineros,  cinco  yndios  y  un  negro,  que 
dieron  nueva  de  que  el  navio  San  Agustin  del  descubrimiento  se 
ha  perdido  en  una  costa  donde  dio  y  se  hizo  pedazos,  y  que  se  haogo 
un  fraile  descalzo  y  otra  persona  de  las  que  en  el  venian  y  de  se- 
tenta  horabres  6  mas  que  se  metieron  en  este  barco  solo  vinieron 
estos  porque  el  capitan  y  piloto  del  dicho  navio  Sebastian  Rodriguez 
Cermeiio  con  los  demas  desembarcaron  en  el  puerto  de  la  Navidad 
y  entienden  estar^n  ya  en  esa  ciudad  el  subceso  y  discurso  de  su 
viaje  y  perdida  del  navio  y  en  la  parte  que  consta  por  declaracion 
que  con  juramento  hizo  el  dicho  piloto  Joan  de  Morgana  que  es  con 
esta  y  el  varco  visitamos  y  en  el  no  venian  ningun  genero  de  mer- 
caderias,  los  hombres  casi  desnudos  d  causa  de  ser  tan  chico  qae 
por  milagro  parece  haver  Uegado  a  esta  tierra  con  tanta  gente. 


TRANSLATION. 

Paragraph  of  a  letter  from  the  royal  officers  at  Acapulco  to  the 
Viceroy  of  New  Spain',  dated  at  Acapulco,  ist  February,  1596, 
giving  tidings  of  the  loss  of  the  ship  San  Agustin. 

1.    The  governor  of  the  Philippines  la  the  official  referred  to. 

1.    This  was  the  ninth  viceroy.  Oaaparde  ZilQlga  y  Aceveilo,  Coude  de  Monterey. 


1" 


20 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


On  Wednesday,  the  31st  of  January  of  this  year,  there  entered 
this  harbor  a  vessel  of  the  kind  called  in  the  Philippines  a  virocd^, 
having  on  board  Juan  de  Morgana,  navigating  officer,  four  Spanish 
sailors,  five  Indians  and  a  negro, who  brought  tidings  that  the  ship 
Sati  Agustiii,  of  the  exploring  expedition,  had  been  lost  on  a  coast 
where  she  struck  and  went  to  pieces,  and  that  a  barefooted  friar 
and  another  person  of  those  on  board  had  been  drowned,  and  that, 
of  the  seventy  men,  or  more,  who  embarked  in  this  small  vessel, 
only  these  came  in  her,  because  the  captain  of  said  ship,  Sebastian 
Rodriguez  Cermefio,  and  the  others,  went  ashore  at  the  port  of 
Navidad  and,  as  they  understand,  have  already  arrived  in  that  city*. 
An  account  of  the  voyage  and  of  the  loss  of  the  ship,  together  with 
the  statement  made  under  oath  by  said  navigating  officer,  Juan  de 
Morgana,  accompany  this.  We  visitedofficially  the  vessel,  finding 
no  kind  of  merchandise  on  board,  and  that  the  men  were  almost 
naked.  The  ves.sel  being  so  small  it  seems  miraculous  that  she 
should  have  reached  this  country  with  so  many  people  on  board*. 


tierra  er 

culpado 

es  arta  c 

el  navio 

lo  que  ft 

por  ahot 

puertos  ( 

lancha  c 

escripta 

nado  en 

platicos  ; 

me  parec 

principal 

atravesai 

i  todo  de 

dicen  qui 

qua  no  e; 

vuestra  ri 

habia  de 

sino  de  e: 


Document  No.  5. 


^  APITULO  de  una  carta  a  Su  Magestad  del  Virey  de  la  Nueva 
^-^  Espana  Conde  de  Monterrey  fechada  en  Megico  a  19  de  Abril 
de  1596  con  noticias  de  la  perdida  de  la  nao  San  Agustin  y  lo  que 
se  consiguio  descubrir  con  ella. 

Sobre  la  perdida  del  navio  S.  Agustin  que  venia  de  las  yslas  de 
poniente  hacer  el  descubrimiento  de  las  costas  de  la  mar  del  sur, 
como  vuestra  magestad  fue  servido  de  mandar  al  Virrey  Don  Luis 
de  Velaszo  escribi  a  vuestra  magestad  en  el  segundo  de  aviso  lo  que 
aca  ba  duplicado,  despues  de  llegado,  alguna  gente  que  se  salvo  de 
la  que  venia  en  el  navio  y  entre  ellos  los  oficiales  del  que  se  preteu- 
den  culpar  unos  a  otros  como  siempre  acontece  en  semej  antes  sub- 
cesos,  enviome  y  remitiome  la  audiencia  de  Guadalajara  ciertos 
auctos  que  por  su  horden  se  hicieron  entre  ellos,  habiendo  tomado 

2.  A  viroco  wd8  a  small  vessel  without  a  duck,  havini;  one  or  two  square  sails  atid  pro- 
pelled bv  swcepb.  Its  bull  was  forinud  from  a  Hiugle  tree,  hollowed  out  aud  having  the 
hldi'K  built  up  with  planl<8. 

3.  I'rubublyan  Austin  friar.  The  spiritual  care  of  all  things  connected  with  the 
Philippines  hud  been  assigned  to  the  Augustines. 

4.  The  city  of  Mexico. 

5.  The  San  Agustin  was  cast  away  in  what  is  now  called  Francis  Drake's  bay.  ft 
was  a  hazardous  UDdertaliing  to  nail  from  that  place  to  Acapulco  iu  a  vessel  so  Nmall  aud  m 
overcrowded. 


Paragr; 

Spain,  th 

giving  tid 

coveries  1 

Touchi 

from  the 

ation   of 

Majesty's 

Maje.sty  b 

letter.     A 

ship  and  \ 

pate  one  a 

— the  audi 

relating  to 

landed  in 


I.    The  Ph 
'■i.    The  set 


s  entered 
a  viroco^, 
r  Spanish 
t  the  ship 
)n  a  coast 
ted  friar 
and  that, 
11  vessel, 
Sebastian 
le  port  of 
that  city*, 
ether  with 
•,  Juan  de 
el,  finding 
re  almost 
)  that  she 
n  board*. 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


21 


la  Nueva 

9  de  Abril 

y  lo  que 

s  yslas  de 
ir  del  sur, 

Don  Luis 
viso  lo  que 
se  salvo  de 
i  se  preteu- 
antes  sub- 
ara  ciertos 

do  tornado 

Bails  and  pro- 
id  baving  the 

cted  wltU  the 


•ake'B  bay.     't 
m  Hmall  aud  w 


tierra  en  aquel  distrito,  quedanse  mirando  y  que  en  caso  que  resulte 
culpado  alguno  y  parece  conveniente  castigarle,  se  hard.  Aunque 
es  arta  compasion  de  lo  que  an  padecido  despues  que  di6  al  traves 
el  navio,  de  la  mucha  perdida  de  hacienda  que  hicieron  en  61 ;  de 
lo  que  fuere  necesario  avisar  d  vuestra  magestad  se  dara  quenta  y 
por  ahora  solo  se  me  ofrece  decir  que  en  el  descubrimiento  de  los 
puertos  dice  el  piloto  que  procur6  cumplir  con  su  obligacion  en  la 
lancha  con  que  vinieron  despues  de  la  perdida  del  navio  y  trae 
escripta  una  relacion  cuya  copia  sera  con  esta.  Pero  yo  lo  6  exami- 
nado  en  presencia  del  comitre  y  contramaestre  que  ambos  son 
platicos  y  aunque  conforman  en  algunas  cosas  difieren  en  otras  y 
me  parece  que  se  convence  y  colige  claro  que  algunas  bayas  de  las 
principales  y  donde  mas  se  podia  esperar  de  hallar  puerto  las 
atravesaron  de  punta  d  punta  y  de  noche  y  en  otras  entraron  poco, 
d  todo  debio  dar  ocasion  forzosa  la  hambre  y  enfermedad  con  que 
dicen  que  venian  que  los  haria  apresurar  el  viaje.  Y  asi  entiendo 
qua  no  esta  en  cuanto  d  este  descubrimiento  cumplido  el  intento  de 
vuestra  magestad  y  todos  convienen  en  que  esta  diligencia  no  se 
habia  de  intentar  de  tornaviaje  de  las  yslas  y  con  navio  cargado 
sino  de  esta  costa  yendo  siempre  por  ella  adelante. 


TRANSLATION. 

Paragraph  of  a  letter  to  His  Majesty  from  the  Viceroy  of  New 
Spain,  the  Conde  de  Monterey,  dated  at  Mexico,  19th  April,  1596, 
giving  tidings  of  the  loss  of  the  ship  Sati  Agustin,  and  of  the  dis- 
coveries made  by  those  who  went  in  her.  ' 

Touching  the  loss  of  the  .ship  SanAgnstin,  which  was  on  its  way 
from  the  islands  of  the  west'  for  the  purpose  of  making  the  explor- 
ation of  the  coasts  of  the  South  Sea,  in  accordance  with  Your 
Majesty's  orders  to  Viceroy  Don  Luis  de  Velasco,  I  wrote  to  Your 
Maje-sty  by  the  second  packet'  what  I  send  as  a  duplicate  with  this 
letter.  After  the  arrival  here  of  some  of  those  who  went  in  the 
ship  and  were  saved,  among  them  the  officers,  who  tried  to  incul- 
pate one  another — as  always  happens  under  similar  Circumstances 
— the  andiencia  of  Guadalaxara  remitted  to  me  certain  documents 
relating  to  proceedings  had  in  the  matter  by  its  order,  for  they 
landed  in  that  district.     These  are  under  consideration;    and,     x 


1.    The  Philippines. 

■J..    The  secoud  mail-parket  which  had  sailed  for  Spain  that  year. 


r 


''/': 


'}. 


22 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


■^.:\ 


^M 


Si 


case  any  one  be  found  culpable,  and  it  seem  fitting  to  punish  him, 
this  will  be  done.  While  the  sufferings  they  underwent  after  the 
ship  was  cast  away  elicit  compassion,  concerning  the  great  loss  of 
the  property  on  board  of  her  caused  by  them  I  will  give  an  account 
of  so  much  as  it  may  be  necessary  to  make  known  to  Your  Majesty. 
At  present,  all  that  occurs  to  me  as  necessary  to  say  is  that,  in  the 
matter  of  the  survey  of  harbors,  the  navigating  officer  says  he 
endeavored  to  comply  with  his  obligation  in  the  lanchc^  in  which 
they  pro.secuted  the  voyage  after  the  ship  was  lost,  and  he  has 
brought  with  him  a  report  in  writing,  of  which  a  copy  accompanies 
this  letter.  But  I  have  examined  him  in  the  presence  of  the  boats- 
wain and  the  quarterma.ster,  who  are  both  praf'tical  in  such  matters; 
and,  although  they  agree  in  some  particulars,  they  differ  in  others. 
To  me  there  seems  to  be  convincing  proof,  resting  on  clear  infer- 
ence, that  some  of  the  principal  bays,  where  with  greater  reason  it 
might  be  expected  harbors  would  be  found,  they  crossed  from 
point  to  point  and  by  night,  while  others  they  entered  but  a  little 
way.  For  all  this  a  strong  incentive  must  have  existed,  because 
of  the  hunger  and  illness  they  say  they  experienced,  which 
would  cause  them  to  hasten  on  their  voyage.  Thus,  I  take  it,  as  to 
this  exploration  the  intention  of  Your  Majesty  has  not  been  carried 
into  effect.  It  is  the  general  opinion  that  this  enterprise  should 
not  be  attempted  on  the  return  voyage  from  the  islands  and  with 
a  laden  ship,  but  from  this  coast  and  by  constantly  following 
along  it. 

3.  The  i'jVoco  of  wbicli  meiitioii  is  made  in  the  I'onimuuication  of  the  officials  of 
Acapulco. 

4.  It  i»  very  evident  tliat  these  two  last  docnmcnts  were  unknown  to  the  writers  of 
Mr.  H.  H.  Bancroft's  hooks,  as  well  as  to  the  authors  of  the  printed  works  consulted  with 
reference  to  Rodrinue*  Cermeilo's  disastrous  voyage.  What  little  the  Baucroftian  historians 
have  to  say  about  the  loss  of  the  .S'oh  AguMin,  is  this  :  "Of  the  result  we  know  only  that  his 
TCBsel,  the  .S'a».  Jjjuntin,  run  ashore  in  what  was  named  at  the  time  San  Kranciseo  Port, 
piuce  known  as  Drake  Bay.  Whetherthe  sliipesoHped  after  being  lightened  of  her  careoor 
was  accompanied  by  a  temlcr  on  whi<;ii  the  crew  escaped  is  not  recorded  ;  but  Cermefio's 
pilot  Bolunos  lived  to  visit  the  port  aj^ain  with  Vizcaino  in  160il,  and  his  statement  is  all 
there  is  extant  on  the  voyage.  It  is  not  impossible  that  some  additional  results  of  the 
expedition  were  intentionally  ketit  secret  by  the  government ;  at  any  rate  no  record  has 
ever  eome  to  light  in  the  archives. "  HUtorii  of  the  Pacific  Statex,  X,  147— and  this  :  "Of 
C"ermei\on's  adventures  we  know  only  that  hisT<'ggelran  aground  on  alee-shore  behind  what 
was  later  called  Point  l{e>es.  •  *  »  *  It  is- possible  that  the  ."^'aH  ylgudij'n  was 
accompanied  by  anothei  VL'ssel  on  which  the  oflitwrs  uuu  men  escaped;  but  niueh  more 
)>robable  I  think  that  the  exiiression  "was  lost'  in  the  record  is  an  error,  and  that  the  ship 
escaped  with  the  loss  of  her'c'arsjo.  One  of  the  men,  Francisco  Bolafios,  was  jiilotn  mayor,  or 
sailing-master,  under  Vi/caino  in  liiO.'i,  when  he  anchored  in  the  same  port  to  see  if  any 
trace  of  the  cargo  remained,  but  withovit  landing.  The  statement  of  Bofailos  as  reported 
incidentally  by  Asecusion  and  'l"oriiuema<la  is, so  far  as  1  can  learn,  the  only  record  extant 
of  this  voya'je."  Id.,  XIII,  yti.  In  tiiis  case,  certainly,  comment  on  the  accuracy  of  the 
work  (luoted  docs  not  seem  to  be  called  for.  Mr.  Bancroft's  writer  misspells  the  name 
t'ermeiio.  hut  erroiK  uf  that  kind  are  frequent  in  Mr.  Bancroft's  j)Ublication.  It  appears, 
from  these  lioeunieuls,  tliiit  the  name  of  the  chief  navigating  officer  of  tlie  Son  Aiiimtiii  wuh 
not  Bolnfios. 


Documents  Jrom  the  Sntro  Collection. 


23 


Document  No.  6. 

/'^APITULO  de  una  carta  del  Virey  de  Nueva  Hspaiia  Don 
^-^  lyuisde  Velazco,  a  S.  M.  diciendole  que  para  hacer  el  descu- 
brimiento  de  los  puertos  de  la  tierra  firnie  hay  faltadedinero;  pero 
que  existet  personas  que  lo  hagan  per  su  cuenta  mediante  ciertas 
concesiones,  fecha  en  Megico  a  8  de  Octubre  de  1593. 


the  oflii-ials  of 


Para  haze*  el  descubriniiento  6  deniarcacion  de  los  puertos  de 
esta  tierra  firne  hasta  las  yslas  philipinas  como  vuestra  magestad 
lo  manda,  ayfalta  de  dinero  y  si  no  es  de  la  caxa  real  no  se  puede 
suplir  porquepenas  de  caniara,  gastos  de  justicia  quitre  y  vacaciones 
estan  tan  apuradas  que  deven  de  tiempo  atras  muchos  dineros  a  la 
real  hacienda,  avido  otra  persona  que  trate  de  hazerlo  debaxo  de 
algunas  condfciones  y  lo  de  mas  momento  es  que  se  le  de  facultad 
para  Uevar  diiero  con  que  tratar  y  contratar  en  los  puertos  que 
descubriere  y  :omo  este  es  negocio  oscuro  y  de  que  podrian  resultar 
inconvenienteno  he  tornado  resolucion  en  ello,  parece  que  limit- 
andole  cantidrd  y  prohibicion  que  no  tratase  en  puerto  descubierto 
aunque  arribase  d  algunos  con  tiempos  contrarios  y  haciendo  otras 
prevensiones  ^ue  al  asentarlo  ocurrieran  se  podra  tratar  dello. 
Vuestra  magesad  mandara  lo  que  fuese  servido. 

(Al  margen  se  encuentra  el  siguiente  acuerdo  del  Consejo: 
"hagase  la  cedila  que  en  tiempo  se  ha  dado.") 


TRANSLATION. 


Paragraph  of  1  letter  from  the  Viceroy  of  New  Spain,  Don  Luis 
de  Velasco,  to  Fis  Majesty,  informing  him  that  for  the  purpose  of 
making  the  sur\ey  of  the  ports  of  the  mainland  money  is  lacking  ; 
but  that  there  ae  individuals  who  will  do  this  at  their  own  charges, 
provided  certaii  concessions  be  made.  Dated  at  Mexico,  8th 
October,  1593.  • 

In  order  to  nake  the  exploration  or  demarcation  of  the  harbors 
of  this  main  as  far  as  the  Philippine   islands,  as   Your   Majesty 


§r:\' 


H 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


orders,  money  is  lacking ;  and,  if  it  be  not  taken  from  the  royal 
strong-box,  it  cannot  be  supplied,  as  for  some  time  past  a  great  deal 
of  money  has  been  owing  to  the  royal  treasury  on  account  of  fines 
forfeited  to  it,  legal  costs,  and  the  like.  But  there  is  another 
person  who  desires  to  make  it  under  certain  conditions,  the  most 
important  being  that  he  be  given  permission  to  take  money  with 
which  to  trade  and  transact  business  at  the  harbors  which  he  may 
discover.  As  such  a  proceeding  is  little  understood  and  something 
untoward  might  result  therefrom,  I  have  come  to  no  determination 
in  the  matter.  It  would  seem  that,  the  amount  of  business  being 
limited,  and  trade  at  ports  already  known  being  prohibited — 
although  the  ship  might  touch  there  under  stress  of  weather — and 
taking  other  precautions  which  might  suggest  themselves  at  the 
time  of  making  the  contract,  the  matter  could  be  arraiged.  Your 
Majesty  will  order  what  you  may  please. 

(In  the  margin  is  noted  the  following  resolution  of  the  Council : 
"I,et  a  decree  be  prepared  in  accordance  with  wlat  has  been 
agreed  on.") 


Document  No.  7. 


/■^  APITULO  de  una  carta  a  su  Magestad  del  Virt^  de  la  Nueva 
^-^  Espafia  Conde  de  Monterey  sobre  entrada  en  elNuevo  Megico 
y  consesion  a  Sebastian  Vizcaino. 

Sobre  la  entrada  del  Nuevo  Megico  tomo  el  Virey  Don  Luis  de 
Velazco  cierto  asiento  con  Don  Juan  de  Oiiate  qmndo  yo  venia 
caminando  desde  el  puerto  para  aqui ;  y  poco  an;es  hizo  cierta 
concesion  a  un  Seba.stian  Vizcaino  sobre  la  entrada  de  las  Califor- 
nias  adonde  por  asiento  havia  de  yr  d  pescar  perlas;  yo  he  vistolos 
papeles  de  este  ultimo  negocio  para  lo  que  tocaba  i  dar  6rden  en 
la  execucion,  y  los  otros  porque  el  Virrey  d  instadcen  que  yo  los 
vea  antes  de  la  entrada  y  dificulte  en  lo  que  me  pareciere  y  se 
olgara  de  no  embarazar  el  tiempo  con  nueva  delberacion,  pero 
haviendo  de  hacerlo  es  forzoso  que  sea  con  atenciony  consexo  para 
toniar  resolucion  de  la  materia  y  asi  no  me  he  reaielto  sobre  las 
dudas  que  se  me  ofrecen  que  son  algunas  y  por  id  tener  estado 
estos  negocios  para  escribir  mas  largo  sobre  ellos.  It  dexo  para  el 
segundo  navio  de  havisso  contentandome  con  dirle  a  vuastra 
magestad  del  que  voy  haciendo  y  de  que  muy  prest)  me  determi- 
nare  para  que  si  algo  se  huviese  de  reformar  se  hag;  y  lo  demas  se 


Touch 
Velasco 
while  I ) 
time  bef( 
Vizcaino 
the  term: 
for  pearli 
for  purpc 
and  thos( 
I  should 
made  sue 
properly 
thereon  ; 
done  witl 
resolutioi 
respectin 
are  such 
advanced 
doing  so  I 
self  with : 
what  I  m 
requiring 
done  prot 
n  ing  the  a 
for  some 
will  be  m 


the  royal 
great  deal 
t  of  fines 
s  another 
tfce  most 
jney  with 
h  he  may 
fomething 
rmination 
ess  being 
thibited — 
ther — and 
es  at  the 
;d.     Your 

Council : 
has  been 


a  Nueva 
'•o  Megico 

Luis  de 
yo  venia 
zo  cierta 
s  Califor- 

visto  los 
6rden  en 
le  yo  los 
ere  y  se 
on,  pero 
5exo  para 
sobre  las 
;r  estado 
)  para  el 
.   vuastra 

determi- 
demas  se 


Documents  from  the  Siitro  Collection. 


25 


ponga  en  execucion  brevemente,  sera  vuestra  magestad  servido  de 
yr  aguardando  mis  cartas  aunque  las  partes  pidan  alguna  confirraa- 
cion  6  cedula  porque  assi  conviene  d  su  servicio  hasta  que  yo  escriba. 


TRANSLATION. 

Paragraph  of  a  letter  to  His  Majesty  from  the  Viceroy  of  New 
Spain,  the  Conde  de  Monterey,  concerning  the  entry  into  New 
Mexico  and  the  concession  to  Sebastian  Vizcaino. 

Touching  the  entry  into  New  Mexico,  Viceroy  Don  Luis  de 
Velasco  entered  into  a  certain  contract  with  Don  Juan  de  Oiiate 
while  I  was  on  my  way  from  the  port  to  this  place  ;  and,  a  short 
time  before  this,  he  made  a  certain  concession  to  one  Sebastian 
Vizcaino  concerning  an  expedition  to  the  Californias,  whither,  by 
the  terms  of  the  agreement,  he  was  to  go  for  the  purpose  of  fishing 
for  pearls.  I  have  seen  the  papers  relating  to  the  latter  matter, 
for  purposes  connected  with  giving  orders  for  the  execution  thereof, 
and  those  relating  to  the  former,  because  the  Viceroy  insisted  that 
I  should  see  them  before  the  departure  of  the  expedition,  and  I 
made  such  strictures  as  seemed  good  to  me.  The  matter  should  be 
properly  adjusted  without  wa.sting  time  in  renewed  deliberation 
thereon  ;  but,  since  this  is  necessary,  it  is  necessary  also  that  it  be 
done  with  care  and  after  counsel  thereon,  in  order  that  a  fitting 
resolution  be  taken.  Therefore,  I  have  come  to  no  conclusion 
respecting  the  doubts  which  suggested  themselves  to  me,  for  there 
are  such  ;  and,  because  these  matters  are  not  in  a  sufiiciently 
advanced  state  for  writing  about  them  at  greater  length,  I  postpone 
doing  so  until  the  departure  of  the  next  dispatch-ship,  contenting  my- 
self with  giving  to  Your  Majesty  an  account  of  what  I  am  doing  and 
what  I  may  very  soon  determine  upon,  so  that,  if  there  be  anything 
requiring  alteration,  it  may  be  changed,  while  the  rest  may  be 
done  promptly.  May  Your  Majesty  be  pleased  to  continue  await- 
|\  ing  the  arrival  of  my  letters,  although  interested  persons  may  ask 
for  some  concession  or  royal  decree — for,  until  I  shall  write,  this  , 
will  be  more  fitting  for  your  service.' 

1.  The  Conde  de  Monterey  landed  at  Vera  Cruz  on  the  IHth  September,  IfijS,  and,  on  the 
■>tii  October  (ollowins,  entered  the  elty  of  Mexico  and  took  charge  of  the  Rovcrument 
This  lett«r  was  written,  undoubtedly,  shortly  after  the  latter  date,  probably  boinK  th»t 
referred  to  in  the  doeument  next  foUowiupr  this  ah  having  been  written  on  the  'JOth  Decem- 
ber, 16!)5.  And  this  is  another  document  which  must  bave  escaped  the  research  of  Mr.  H. 
H.  Bancroft,  as  hia  writers  refer  to  it  nowheru  in  any  of  the  volumes  in  which  Vizcaino's 


V: 


i6 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


Document  No.  8. 

/■^ARTA  a  su  Magestad  del  Virej-  de  la  Nueva  Hspana  sobre 
^~^  conveniencia  de  no  enviar  espediciones  particulares  a  tomar 
posesion  y  descubrir  las  provincias  al  norte  de  la  Nueva  Espana  y 
tomando  precausiones  para  lo  que  hace  f  n  este  sentido  vSebastian 
Vizcaino. 


En  carta  de  veinte  de  Diciembre  cuyo  duplicado  yra  con  esta 
havi.se  a  vuestra  niagestad  de  la  Jornada  que  halle  cometida  por 
cierta  capitulacion  y  patente  del  Virey  Don  Luis  de  Velasco  mi 
antece.sor,  a  Sebastian  Vizcaino  para  que  por  su  cuenta  y  deciertos 
mercaderes  de  aqui  fuese  a  las  Californias  y  que  yendo  e  proce- 
diendo  a  la  execucion  me  habia  resultado  ciertas  dubdas  de  que 
daria  cuenta  a  vue.stra  raage.stad  quando  pudiese  decir  juntamente 
la  resolucion  y  asi  lo  hare  en  esta  carta.  Haviendo  hecho  asiento 
los  anos  pasados  con  ciertos  particulares  que  se  ofrecieron  de  yr  a 
las  Californias  a  pescar  perlas  y  tomar  noticia  de  aquella  tierra  y 
comenzada  la  Jornada  no  llego  d  efecto  por  cierta  quistion  y  deshu- 
cio  que  havia  habido  entre  la  gente  que  yba  y  su  caudillo,  el  qual 
murio  en  esta  ciudad  pendienteciertopleito  criminal,  ante  los  alcal- 
des, y  por  incidente  el  que  se  trato  sobre  el  cumplimientodel  asiento 
este  se  determino  y  fu^  condenado  Sebastian  Vizcaino  y  otros  que 
eran  companeros  suyos  a  instancia  del  fiscal  de  vuestra  magestad  a 
que  en  conformidad  del  asiento  hiciese  dentro  de  tres  meses  la 
Jornada  y  movido  el  virey  por  algunas  causas  que  a  ello  le  devieron 
inclinar  por  via  de  gracia,  le  concedio  a  peticion  niia  la  entrada  y 
pacificacion  de  las  dichas  Californias  en  conformidad  de  las  orde- 
nanzas  qua  ay  de  vue.stra  magestad  con  todas  las  onrras,  gracias 
execuciones  que  se  acostumbran  hacer  a  los  pacificadores  y  pobla- 
dores  de  nuevas  provincias  :  en  oculma}  se  trato  conmigo  de  este 
negocio  en  general  por  el  virrey  y  por  la  parte  como  de  resolucion 
tomada  por  asiento  antiguo  y  confirmada  por  executoria  de  la  sala 
del  crimen  a  pedimento  del  fiscal  y  asi  me  parecio  que  no  haver 
necesidad  ni  aun  lugar  de  parar  en  cosa  alguna  desta  materia  para 
mas  de  tratar  de  executai  lo  acordado  y  asi  venido  aquisecomenzo 

voja.i'S  HiKl  Ofiuto'sponqucot  iiri;  ri'luted— for  iu  tlioso  iuaciiiously  ooutrivcd  tomes  what 
is  HUi(t  i.n  Hny  subject  isciil  up  iind  (iistribuletl  tlirons;)]  several  volumes.  These  writers  say 
—Uv<t,j,-I/  of  Ihf  I'ticiflc  xtntf.ft.  \\  781— that  Vireroy  Vulasfo  and  Don  Juan  de  Ofiate  com- 
pleted tile  armufjeiueiits  for  the  oonquest  of  New  .Mexico  on  the  24th  AuRust,  1!)%.  lu  this 
letter  of  Viceroy  Monterey  he  says  that  the  conlraet  was  entered  into  while  he  was  on  his 
way  from  Vera  <'ruz  to  the  ciipital.  viz. :  after  the  Iblh  .-.e,  teniher  of  that  year. 
1.    So  written  in  the  original. 


Doaiments frotn  the  Siilro  Colltclion. 


na   sob  re 

a  tomar 

Rspaiia  y 

Sebastian 


con  esta 
etida  per 
fiasco  mi 
de  ciertos 
e  proce- 
s  de  que 
ntamente 

0  asiento 

1  de  yr  a 
L  tierra  y 

y  deshu- 
,  el  qual 
Ids  alcal- 
el  asiento 
atros  que 
agestad  a 
meses  la 
'.  devieron 
;ntrada  y 
las  orde- 
i,  gracias 
y  pobla- 
)  de  este 
esolucion 
le  la  sala 
no  haver 
;eria  para 
comenzo 

tomes  what 
e  writers  say 

Ofiate  coiu- 
5%.    lu  this 

was  oa  his 


d  levantar  la  gente  y  queriendo  ver  los  papeles  halle  que  el  auto  y 
executoria  caian  solamente  sobre  lo  que  tocaba  a  la  pesqueria  de 
las  perlas  y  no  de  ninguna  manera  sobre  la  entrada  y  pacificacion 
y  reparar  en  ello,  por  parecerme  que  el  sugeto  de  la  persona,  su 
calidad  y  caudal  no  es  suficiente  para  una  cosa  que  puede  venir  a 
ser  tan  grande  y  que  requiere  diferentes  fuerzas  y  niodo  de  proceder 
del  que  aora  se  presupone  y  juzga,  pues  aunque  en  materia  de 
utilidad  ;  haciendose  el  viage  a  su  costa  y  sin  gasto  alguno  de 
vuestra  magestad  parece  que  se  va  d  ganar  y  no  a  perder  la  esper- 
anza  de  buen  suceso  por  medio  tan  flaco  es  poco  y  mucho  loque  se 
aventura  no  solo  en  la  reputacion  que  se  perderia  con  estas  na- 
ciones  de  yndios  si  a  este  hombre  y  su  gente  deshiciesen  los  natu- 
rales  de  aquella  tierra,  pero  en  lo  principal  que  es  la  conciencia  y 
autoridad  de  la  real  persona  de  vuestra  magestad,  me  parece  que 
se  arriesga  mucho  en  que  una  Jornada  que  licitamente  no  puede 
ser  de  derecha  conquista,  sino  de  predicacion  del  evangelio  y  paci- 
ficacion y  reduccion  se  encomiende  por  caudilloy  caboaun  hombre 
de  poca  estofa  y  menos  brio  y  capacidad  para  tan  grande  negocio, 
este  dificultado  me  parecio  comunicar  al  virrey  Don  lyuis  de 
Velasco  y  por  lo  que  me  escrivio,  que  fue  con  la  prudenoia  que 
entiende  y  trata  todas  las  cosas,  no  cesaron  las  rrazones  del  temor 
que  yo  tenia  de  los  desordenes  desta  gente,  y  hallando  perplexidad 
en  el  caso  por  los  peligros  que  se  descubrian  en  esto  para  la  repu- 
tacion y  para  la  consciencia  y  por  las  dificultades  que  tambien  se 
presentaban  conforme  a  justicia  y  conciencia  en  alterar  lotratadoy 
quitarle  a  este  hombre  su  Jornada,  en  especial  teniendo  ya  hechos 
gastos,  lo  hice  ver  a  un  teologo  y  jurista,  de  los  que  mejor  parecer 
podian  tener  en  esta  dubda  y  habiendoles  juntado  fueron  de  acuerdo 
en  la  consecion  del  virrey  tiene  fuerza  de  asiento  y  contrato  y  que 
siendo  al  principio  gracia,  hera  ya  justicia  y  no  padeciendo  elcapi- 
tan  manifiesta  incapacidad  6  haviendo  hecho  delito  no  podia 
variarse  ;  la  audiencia  a  quien  di  cuenta  sintio  lo  mismo.  Y  visto 
esto  y  que  aun  mandarle  por  instruccion  que  solo  descubriese  3-  que 
suspendiese  la  entrada  hasta  dar  cuenta  les parecio  contra  justicia, 
segun  el  estado  que  el  negocio  tenia  me  resolvi  a  no  desvaratarle 
ni  desaviar  su  Jornada  a  Sebastian  Vizcaino  teniendo  porciertoque 
lo  que  en  esta  parte  fuera  de  justicia  sera  de  conciencia  y  que  no 
puede  ser  de  buen  gobierno  lo  que  va  contra  ella  ;  y  porque  he 
juzgado  convenir  al  servicio  de  nuestroseiior  y  de  vuestra  magestad 
que  puesto  havia  de  pasar  adelante  por  hallarse  ya  hecha  y  enca- 
minada  la  execucion  de  ello  y  no  padecer  este  hombre  defectos 
notorios   que   en   derecho  pueden  escusar  a  vuestra  magestad  de 


98 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


cumplir  con  61  se  le  ayudase  y  diese  calor  para  que  la  gente  que  i. 
levantado  y  pretende  embarcar  que  es  muy  razonable  en  nfimero  y 
calidad  le  estime  y  respecte  d  61,  lo  he  procurado  quanto  me  ha 
sido  postble  y  prevenido  desde  aora  con  honrrarle  yo  aqui  y  darle 
autoridad  al  mayor  peligro  que  anteveo  y  teino  por  donde  yo  no  le 
digiera  que  es  algun  menosprecio  y  atrevimiento  de  parte  de  los 
soldados  que  lleva  y  que  por  este  camino  le  venga  d  desobedecer  y 
i  seguirse  dello  mucha  desorden,  he  apretado  como  puedo  y  debo 
hacer  d  que  me  d6  memoria  y  satisfaccion  acerca  de  los  navios  y 
lanchas  que  lleva  y  de  los  aparejos  dellos  y  de  la  gente  y  vasti- 
mentos  que  para  sustentarla  d  de  embarcar  y  de  las  armas  y  muni- 
ciones  y  otras  cosas  todo  ello  por  sus  generos  y  cantidades  lo  que  d 
dado  he  mandado  ver  a  personas  platicas  y  les  parece  suficiente  ; 
pero  en  el  cumpliraiento  de  lo  que  dice  que  embarcard  consiste  el 
llevar  recado  suficiente  para  que  los  religiosos  que  lleva  franciscos 
puedan  entrar  seguros  d  la  conversion  y  pacificacion  j'  para  poblar 
en  gente  aquella  tierra  sin  que  por  evidente  necesidad  de  comida  6 
otras  cosas  vayan  d  peligro  notorio  y  claro  de  hacer  violencias  y 
robos  d  los  naturales,  asi  he  mandado  d  los  oficiales  reales  de 
Acapulco  que  hagan  registro  muy  puntual  y  riguroso  de  lo  que  d 
ofrecido  llevar  y  no  le  consiente  embarcar  sin  que  vaya  todo  ello  y 
para  que  se  haga  otro  tanto  en  el  puerto  de  Salagua  de  la  provincia 
de  Colima  a  donde  endevera  otra  parte  de  su  gente  y  de  los  generos 
que  lleva  me  a  parecido  poner  buen  recado  por  no  haver  alii 
oficiales  reales  y  ser  tierra  dt.;vtaday  muy  conviniente  que  nose  fie 
esto  y  aun  lo  que  en  los  primeto.;  havisos  podria  saberse  desta  gente 
por  aquella  parte  de  qualesq'iieia  personas  y  ministros  de  los  naci- 
dos  aqui  que  por  venturi  i^eran  obligados  d  los  mercaderes  que 
tienen  d  cargo  esta  Jornada  y  d  los  que  van  en  ella,  y  asi  heenviado 
persona  particular  de  confianza  y  de  platica  que  a  sido  soldado  y 
podra  dar  buena  cuenta  de  lo  que  alii  se  ha  de  hacer  y  de  la  con- 
ducion  de  los  soldados  y  castigo  de  los  desordenes  que  hicieren 
por  aquel  camino  en  los  pueblos  de  los  yndios  que  como  no 
acostumbrados  al  transito  de  la  gente  de  guerra  que  suele  yr  a 
filipinas  podran  padecer  y  sentir  mas  travajo.  Dios  guarde  d 
vuestra  magestad  Mexico  29  de  hebrero  de  1596.  El  Conde  de 
Monte  Rey. 

(Decreto  del  Consejo).  Vista  en  27  de  Mayo  de  1596  escriba- 
sele  al  Virrey  que  quite  a  este  Sebastian  Vizcaino  esta  conquista  y 
descubrimiento  y  que  avise  a  que  otra  persona  se  puede  encomen- 
dar  que  la  pueda  hazer  con  mas  satisfaccion  y  esperanza  de  buen 
suceso. 


A  lette 
propriety 
make  dis 
and  takii 
in  this  re 

In  a  le 
accompar 
found  ha( 
my  prede 
and  a  pei 
tain  tradt 
in  proceei 
to  me  c( 
Majesty  \ 
my  resoh: 
past  an  aj 
to  go  tr>  tl 
obtaining 
for  the  e: 
nothing,  \ 
tween  tho 
leader,  wl 
of  a  certai 
said  agret 
mined,  ar 
were  com 
attorney, 
within  t] 
motives  i? 
granted  a 
fomias,  ii 
with  all  t 
pacifiers  s 
with  me  < 
had  been 
the  crimi 


Documents  front  the  Sutro  Collection. 


n 


TRANSLATION. 

A  letter  to  His  Majesty  from  the  Viceroy  of  New  Spain  on  the 
propriety  of  not  sending  private  expeditions  to  take  possession  and 
make  discoveries  in  the  province!;  to  the  northward  of  New  Spain, 
and  taking  precautions  against  what  Sebastian  Vizcaino  is  doing 
in  this  respect. 

In  a  letter  of  the  20th  December,  of  which  a  duplicate  will 
accompany  this,  I  advised  Your  Majesty  of  the  expedition  which  I 
found  had  been  undertaken  by  virtue  of  the  agreement  made  by 
my  predeces.sor,  Don  Luis  de  Velasco,  with  Sebastian  Vizcaino, 
and  a  permit  to  the  effect  that,  on  his  account  and  that  of  cer- 
tain traders  of  these  parts,  he  might  go  to  the  Californias,  and  that 
in  proceeding  to  the  execution  of  the  contract  there  had  occurred 
to  me  certain  doubts  of  which  I  would  give  account  to  Your 
Majesty  when  I  should  be  able  to  mention  them  in  connection  with 
my  resolution  in  the  matter  ;  this  I  shall  do  in  this  letter.  In  years 
past  an  agreement  was  made  with  certain  individuals  who  offered 
to  go  tr^  the  Californias  for  the  purpose  of  fishing  for  pearls  and 
obtaining  information  concerning  that  country,  and  preparations 
for  the  expedition  were  made  ;  but  the  undertaking  resulted  in 
nothing,  because  of  a  certain  question  and  falling  out  arising  be- 
tween those  who  were  about  to  take  part  in  the  expedition  and  their 
leader,  who  died  in  this  city  during  the  pendency  before  the  judges 
of  a  certain  criminal  cause,  in  which  the  question  of  carrying  out 
said  agreement  was  involved  incidentally.  The  matter  was  deter- 
mined, and  Sebastian  Vizcaino,  and  others  who  were  his  partners, 
were  condemned,  at  the  instance  of  Your  Majesty's  prosecuting 
attorney,  to  begin  the  journey,  in  accordance  with  the  agreement, 
within  three  months ;  and  the  Viceroy,  influenced  by  certain 
motives  inducing  him  to  lean  toward  leniency,  at  my  petition 
granted  a  concession  for  the  entry  and  pacification  of  the  said  Cali- 
fornias, in  conformity  with  existing  ordinances  of  Your  Majesty, 
with  all  the  honors,  favors  and  exemptions  usually  given  to  the 
pacifiers  and  settlers  of  new  provinces.  The  Viceroy  took  counsel 
with  me  concerning  this  matter  generally  ;  and,  seeing  that  there 
had  been  a  former  agreement  which  was  confirmed  by  decree  of 
the  criminal   court    at  the  instance  of  the  prosecuting  oflBcer,  it 


■\\ 


v- 


[ 


30 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


seemed  to  me  for  this  reason  that  there  was  no  necessity,  or  even 
room,  for  any  decision  in  the  matter  other  than  that  looking  to  an 
endeavor  to  carry  out  what  had  been  agreed  upon.  So,  this  con- 
clusion having  been  reached,  recruiting  for  the  expedition  began  ; 
but  I,  on  an  examination  of  the  papers  in  the  case,  found  that  the 
proceedings  and  decree  had  reference  to  the  pearl  fishery  only  and 
not  at  all  to  the  entry  and  pacification  of  the  land,  and  that  a  recon- 
sideration was  necessary  ;  for,  it  seemed  to  me,  with  regard  to  the 
person,  his  (quality  and  capital  are  not  sufficient  in  connection  with 
z."  ^.»Lc-rpnse  wliich  may  come  to  be  of  such  vast  importance,  and 
one  requiring  greater  backing  and  a  method  of  proceeding  other 
than  what  is  now  thought  and  deemed  sufficient ;  for,  even  look- 
ing at  the  matter  fnin  the  utilitarian  point  of  view,  although  he 
make  the  journey  ,aV  his  own  cost  and  without  any  expense  to 
Your  Majesty,  it  seems  to  be  of  little  moment  whether  he  goes  for 
gain  and  in  order  not  to  lose  the  chance  of  good  fortune,  but  of 
great  importance  the  hazarding  of  not  only  the  repute  which  would 
be  lost  among  these  nations  of  Indians  if  the  natives  of  that  coun- 
try should  repel  this  man  and  his  people,  but — this  is  the  principal 
thing  involved — that  of  the  conscience  and  authority  of  the  royal 
person  of  Your  Majesty.  It  appeared  to  me  to  be  risking  much  if 
an  expedition  which  cannot  lawfully  be  one  of  direct  conquest, 
but  one  of  preaching  the  gospel  and  pacification,  and  of  bringing 
the  people  into  subjection  to  the  crown,  were  entrusted  to  a  man  as 
leader  and  chief  whose  position  is  obscure  and  who  has  not,  even 
in  less  degree,  the  re.solution  and  capacity  necessary  for  so  great  an 
enterprise.  It  seemed  to  me  proper  to  communicate  my  opinion  of 
these  difficulties  to  Viceroy  Don  Luis  de  Vela.sco  ;  and,  judging 
from  what  he  wrote  to  me  on  the  subject,  and  he  did  so  with  the 
prudence  marking  his  investigation  and  treatment  of  all  things, 
the  motives  that  I  had  for  fearing  some  mishap  occurring  to  these 
people  did  not  fail  to  work  upon  his  mind  also.  Being  greatly 
perplexed  in  the  conside'-ation  of  this  matter,  because  of  ^he  perils 
to  repute  and  conscience  which  might  result,  as  well  as  by  the 
difficulty  presenting  itself  as  to  conformity  with  just^ice  and  con- 
science in  the  alteration  of  a  compact  and  taking  away  from  this 
man  his  right  to  make  the  expedition,  especially  as  he  had  been 
already  at  expense  in  the  matter,  he  submitted  the  question  to  a 
theologian  and  a  jurist,  of  the  number  of  these  whose  opinions  are 
entitled  to  greater  consideration  in  doubtful  ca.ses  of  this  nature  ; 
and  these  gentlemen,  having  taken  counsel  together,  concurred  in 
considering  that  the  concession  of  the  Viceroy  had  the  force  of  an 


Documents  from  the  Sxitro  Collection. 


31 


,  or  even 
ing  to  an 
this  con- 
)n  began  ; 
i  that  the 
■  only  and 
at  a  recon- 
jard  to  the 
iction  with 
[ance,  and 
ding  other 
;ven  look- 
Lhough    he 
ixpense   to 
le  goes  for 
me,  but  of 
hich  would 
that  coun- 
le  principal 
f  the  royal 
iig  much  if 
conquest. 
d{  bringing 
to  a  man  as 
not,  even 
so  great  an 
opinion  of 
d,  judging 
;o  with  the 
all   things, 
ig  to  these 
ng   greatly 
♦^he  perils 
as  by  the 
and  con- 
from   this 
had  been 
?stion  to    a 
pinions  are 
lis   nature  ; 
oncurred  in 
force  of  an 


agreement  and  contract ;  that  what  was  at  first  a  favor  had  become 
his  just  due  ;  and  that,  as  the  captain  manifested    no   incapacity 
and  had  been  guilty  of  no  offense,  the  compact  could  not  be  varied. 
The  aiidiencia,  to  which  I  gave  an  account  of  this  matter,  was  of 
like  opinion.     This  being  determined,   and  it  appearing  to  that 
body   to   be   contrary    to  justice  even  to  give  him  instructions  to 
make  discoveries  only  and  not  to  take  possession  before  reporting 
those  discoveries,  I,  in  view  of  the  length  to  which  the  affair  had 
gone,  resolved  not  to  annul  the  contract  nor  to  interfere  with  the 
expedition   of  Sebastian   Vizcaino,  holding  it  for  certain  that  in 
this  thing  that  which  is  justice  is  also  a  matter  of  good  conscience, 
and  that  what  contravenes  this  is  not  an  indication  of  good  govern- 
ment.    And,  because  I  have  deemed  it  meet  for  the  service  of  Our 
Lord  and  that  of  Your  Majesty,  inasmuch  as  it  was  necessary-  to  go 
on  with  the  affair  since  it  had  been  begun  and  as  this  man    does 
not  possess    notorious  defects  which  can  rightfully  excuse    Your 
Majesty  from  aiding  and  fomenting  his  undertaking,  in  order  that 
the  persons  he  has  enlisted  and  intends  to  put  on  board  ship,  and 
who  in  number  and  condition  make  a   reasonably  good  showing, 
may  esteem  and  respect  him,  I   have   done   all   that   lay   in   my 
power  to  show  him  honor   while   here   and   to   clothe   him    with 
authority  in  view  of  the  greater  danger  I  foresee  and  fear   on    his 
account,  though  1  would  not  say  it  to  him — which  is  some  lack  of 
respect  and  an  overbold  bearing  on  the  part  of  the  soldiers  whom 
he  takes  with  him,  so  that  in  this  way  they  may  come  to  disobey 
his  orders,  all  this  giving  ri.se  to  great  disorder        I  have  insisted, 
as  far  as  I  could  and  ought   ^r-   insist,    that  he  sliould  furnish  me 
with  a  .satisfactory  memoranduin  concerning  the  ships  and  lanchas 
he  intends  to  take  with  him,  and  their  sails,  tackle  and  the  like, 
and  the  people  and  the  necessary  provisions  for  them   he  intends 
embarking,  and  the  arms  and  ammunition,  and  other  matters,  all 
being  inventoried  in   kind  and  by   quantities.     He  has  furnished 
this  memorandum  ;  I  have  caused  it  to  be  examined   by   persons 
understanding  such  matters,  and  what  has  been  provided  appears 
to  them  to  be  sufficient.     But,  in  order  to  fully  carry  out  what  he 
says  he  intends  to  do,   it  is   es.sential   that   he   take   with   him   a 
complete  provision  of  all  things  necessary-,  .so  that  the  Franciscan 
friars  who  will  accompany  hitn  may  undertake  the  conversion  and 
pacification  of  those  lands  in  safety,  and  that  the  lands  be  settled, 
without  there  being  unavoidable  lack  of  .'ood  and  other  things  and 
consequent  very  great  danger  of  doing  violence  to  and   robbing 
the  natives   and  I  have  ordcjed  the  royal  officials  at  Acapulco  to 


lil 


32 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


make  a  very  exact  and  rigorously  careful  minute  of  all  tliat  he  has 
offered  to  take,  and  not  to  consent  to  his  departure  unless  he  take 
all  with  him.  And  I  have  ordered  that  the  same  thing  be  done  at 
the  port  of  Salagua,  in  the  province  of  Colima,  where  he  will  take 
on  board  some  of  his  people  and  a  part  of  the  things  he  is  to  take 
with  him.  It  seemed  to  me  well  to  take  these  precautions  because 
there  are  no  royal  officials  there  and  it  is  an  out  of  the  way  place, 
and  it  is  very  proper  that  in  this  particular  nothing  be  taken  on 
trust,  while  it  might  even  happen  that  the  fif.st  tidings  had  of  these 
people  in  that  region  would  come  from  persons  of  no  standing  ai  a 
agents  of  persons  born  here  who  may  chance  to  be  under  oi^-j^a 
tions  to  the  traders  who  have  undertaken  this  expedition  ar  '  10 
those  actually  taking  part  in  it.  Wherefore  I  have  sent  a  private 
individual  who  is  of  my  confidence,  a  man  of  experience  who  has 
been  a  soldier,  and  he  will  be  able  to  give  good  account  ot  what 
may  be  done  there,  and  of  the  conduct  of  the  soldiers,  and  the 
punishment  inflicted  upon  them  for  any  disorder  of  which  they 
should  be  guilty  along  the  road  in  the  towns  of  the  Indians,  who, 
not  being  used  to  the  transit  through  their  country  of  troops  such 
as  are  generally  sent  to  the  Philippines,  might  be  subjected  to 
suffering  and  injury.  God  guard  Your  Majesty.  Mexico,  29th 
February,  1596. 

The  Conde  de  Monterey. 

(Decree  of  the  Council).  This  communication  having  been 
taken  under  consideration  on  the  27th  of  May,  1596,  let  it  be 
written  to  the  Viceroy  that  he  take  from  Sebastian  Vizcaino  the 
right  to  make  this  conquest  and  discovery,  and  that  he  report  to 
what  other  person  they  can  be  entrusted,  who  may  conduct  the 
same  more  .satisfactorily  and  with  the  hope  of  success.' 

1.  In  volume  X  of  the  hiHtorical  works  publiHhed  by  Mr.  H.  H.  Bancroft  a  good  deal  of 
what  is  said  iu  those  volumes  about  the  firct  and  secona  voyages  of  Sebastian  Vizcaino  is 
related.  L'hai).  VI  ot  this  volunu^  tri'iits  of  "VoyiiKtM  to  the  Northwest,"  and  the  writer 
remarks:  "Them' voyages  treated  in  this  chapter  have  alri>ady  been  put  before  the  public 
many  times  In  many  forms,  often  with  accuiacy  and  completeness.  Both  individually  and 
collectively  they  were  in  former  years  the  BUl)ject  Oi  much  more  reseaich  than  the  inland 
unnalK  of  the  same  perioii,  and  later  rescarclus  in  tlie  h'.  anish  hikI  Mexican  archives  have 
brought  to  liKht  comparatively  little  new  material  "  AifUwij  nf  the  Pacific  Stales,  X,  132.  It 
seems  to  be  apparent  that,  in  tl'e  matter  of  Vizcaino's  first  voyaKc,  no  attempt  wag  made 
to  brinK  to  light  any  new  material  to  be  found  in  tlie  archives  at  Seville.  Mr.  Bancroft's 
writer  says  merely  :  "In  16a4  Viceroy  Vc'.asco,  probably  by  royal  instructions,  contracted 
with  Sebastian  Vizcaino  to  explore  anew  and  occupy  for  Hpain  the  Islas  Olifornias. 
Velasco's  sueceasor,  the  Count  of  Monterey,  rati  fled  the  contract  and  dispatched  the  expedi- 
tion in  1697."  7(J.,  X,  147.  That  the  letter  here  published  was  unknown  to  that  wrilx;r  is 
Hufticiently  evident  from  the  contents  of  the  foot-note  to  be  fouiul  on  that  same  paste:— 
"•  •  '•  Torquemada,  followed  apparently  by  all  other  writers,  8tR*'s  tlmt  in  169fi  the 
King  ordered  Viceroy  Monterey  to  send  Vizcaino  to  (Jalifornia,  nud  th."'  tl^c  expedition 
was  made  the  same  year.  Ail  the  evidence  I  have  to  the  ^ontr*;  •  (h  a  rc>^.'  '  "".•.'..»  of  Aug. 
2, 16'/8,  [«ic|  iu  Doc.  Hist..  Mex.,  series  ii,  ill.  Ul-3,  in  which  •h.  ,"'Ufi  x»i'.  ;b  '••'  facts  as  1 
have  given  them,  adding  that  Monterey  ordered  Vizcaino  to  friiUl  ulscov  .'.  "  noembar- 
ganteqiio  en  la  sustancia  y  capucidaU  (le  su  peisona,  hall6  al^r.uoK  ttico' v*;  jle.Mfs.'  "  Mr. 
Bancroft's  writer*  always  are  content  with  what  Torqnemada  tells,  'li  ;  .ct.  in  a  foot-note 
at  the  end  of  this  same  Chap.  VI,  it  is  t<aid  that  "the  standard  au*ii.j.-'.iy  tor  Vizcaino's  voy- 
age is  Torqucmada,  .Won.  Ind" 


per 


r1.. 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection, 


33 


at  he  has 
he  take 
e  done  at 
will  take 
5  to  take 
5  because 
ay  place, 
;aken  on 
i  of  these 
ding  aid 
r  ()(  'Vto 
1  ar  ;■ 
1  private 
who  has 
oi  what 
and  the 
ich  they 
ns,  who, 
ops  such 
jected  to 
CO,    29th 

rERRY. 

ing  been 
let  it  be 
aino  the 
report  to 
duct  the 


good  deal  of 

Vizcaino  is 
I  t.ho  writer 
'  the  public 
idtialiy  aud 

thu  inland 
olilveB  have 
',  X,  132.  It 
;  was  made 
.  Bancroft's 

contracted 
Cull  torn  I  as. 
the  expedi- 
at  writer  is 

pHge:— 
iMnl69fithe 

expedition 

'.'.>  of  Aug. 

^  facta  as  1 

noembar- 

:<ea.'  "    Mr. 

a  foot-note 
c!aino'g  Toy- 


Document  No.  g. 

/'^  ARTA  d  S.  M.  de  Sebastian  Vizcaino  fecha  en  Mexico  i  27  de 
^-'  Febrero  de  1597,  participando  haber  vuelto  de  su  espedicion  d 
las  Californias. 

Del  puerto  de  Salagua  escrivi  d  vuestra  magestad  dandole  aviso 
de  la  Jornada  y  descubrimiento  que  iba  d  hazer  de  la  California  y 
de  los  navios  y  gente  que  d  ella  llevaba  y  del  buen  despacho  quel 
Conde  de  Monte  Rey  me  mando  dar  para  todo  lo  d  ella  nessesario  ; 
y  aora  aviso  d  vuestra  magestad  de  lo  sucedicho  en  el  dicho  viaje 
que  es  lo  contenido  en  la  relacion  que  el  dicho  Conde  de  Monte 
Rey  envia  d  vuestra  magestad.  Yo  me  holgara  fueran  las  nuevas 
conformes  d  mi  deseo,  mas  como  ^odo  esta  sugeto  d  la  voluntad  de 
Dios  que  es  el  que  guia  semejantes  negocios,  conformandonos  con 
ella  le  damos  gracia  por  todo  lo  sucedido.  Quedo  con  el  sentimi- 
ento  que  es  razon  por  no  haber  tenido  ventura  de  llegar  al  cabo  un 
negocio  en  que  tanto  servicio  de  Dios  y  de  vuestra  magestad  se 
interesaba  y  con  grandisima  lastima  de  considerar  la  infinidad  de 
almas  o^ue  se  pierden  en  aquella  tierra.  De  manera  que  ni  la 
pen-^da  Oe  mi  hacienda  ni  el  peligro  de  mi  persona  y  travajos  que 
er  ^Lio  he  padecido  me  duelen  tanto  como  el  no  haberle  podido  dar 
ouet.  r.ii  i  este  negocio  y  descubierto  toda  la  ensenada  de  la  Cali- 
,01,  ';•  ^  que  entiendo  resultaran  cosas  degrandissimaimportancia, 
peTv/  V.  -mo  aquella  mar  no  hera  conoscida  salimos  en  tiempo  tan 
contraJ  .0  que  eso  solo  fu6  la  causa  principal  de  nuestra  desgracia 
que  habiendo  de  salir  d  principio  de  Marzo  emboque  por  el  golfode 
la  »,alifornia  d  mediado  de  Agosto  en  tiempo  de  nortes  y  norueste 
tan  furiosc  que  estuvo  todo  el  daiio  donde  pensamos  que  estuviera 
nuestro  buen  suceso,  segun  nos  ensefi6  la  esperieucia.  Lo  que  es 
pesqueria  de  perlas  creo  que  es  infinita  por  el  graudissimo  numero 
de  conchas  de  ella  que  ay  d  la  ribera:  no  pude  hazer  diligencia  en 
'^'pcarlas  porque  el  tiempo  era  tan  rigoroso  que  apenas  nos  daba 
;,;■.. r  para  repararnos  y  assi  nos  ubimos  de  volver  con  los  navios 
rrutos  sin  ser  posible  pasar  adelante.  Reciba  vuestra  magestad  mi 
buen  deseo  que  aunque  de  vasallo  pobre,  con  lo  que  me  sobra  de 
animo  se  puede  suplir  lo  que  las  fuerzas  no  alcanzaron  y  de  nuevo 
me  ofrezco  d  servir  d  vuestra  magestad  como  d  mi  rey  y  seiior  con 
lo  que  me  queda  de  hacienda  y  vida,  que  quisiera  fuera  en  mucha 
mas  cantiJad  para  emplearlo  todo  en  su  real  serv^icio  con  las  veras 


u 


Hisloriral  Society  of  Sou  titer  n  California. 


que  debo  y  deseo.  Guarde  nuestro 
muchos  alios  como  la  cristiandad  ha 
vasallos  dessamos  de  Mexico  d  veinte 
quinientos  noventa  y  siete. 

Criado  de  vuestra  magestad. 


sefior  i.  vuestra  magestad 
menester  y  sus  criados  y 
y   siete    de   febrero   de  mil 

Sebastian  Vizcaino. 


TRANSLATION. 

Letter  to  His  Majesty  from  Sebastian  Vizcaino,  dated  at  Mexico, 
27th  February,  1597,  announcing  his  return  from  the  expedition 
to  the  Californias. 

From  the  port  of  Salagua  I  wrote  to  Your  Majesty,  giving  notice 
of  the  voyage  of  discovery  which  I  was  about  to  make  to 
California,  and  of  the  ships  and  people  I  was  taking  with  me,  and 
of  the  prompt  dispatch  of  everything  necessary,  which  the  Conde 
de  Monterey  ordered  to  be  given  to  me;  and  I  now  advise  Your 
Majesty  of  what  ocurred  on  said  voyage — which  is  what  is  con- 
tained in  the  report  which  the  said  Conde  de  Monterey  sends  to 
Your  Majesty.  I  should  congratulate  myself  were  the  tidings  in 
conformity  with  my  desire:  yet,  as  everything  is  subject  to  the 
will  of  God,  it  being  he  who  guides  in  similar  undertakings,  let  us, 
conforming  ourselves  to  this,  give  him  thanks  for  all  that  happened. 
It  grieves  me,  as  stands  to  reason,  not  to  have  had  the  good  for- 
tune to  carry  out  fully  an  undertaking  in  which  the  service  of 
God  and  Your  Majesty  was  so  deeply  concerned,  and  it  gives  me 
the  greatest  pain  when  I  consider  the  infinite  number  of  souls 
going  to  destruction  in  that  land.  To  such  an  extent  is  this  the 
case  that  neither  loss  of  property,  nor  personal  peril  encountered, 
nor  the  labors  which  have  been  mine  in  this  connection,  give  me 
so  much  sorrow  as  does  my  not  having  been  able  to  accomplish 
successfully  this  undertaking — in  not  having  explored  the  whole 
coast'  of  California,  an  enterprise  from  which,  I  understand,  things 
of  the  greatest  importance  will  result.  But,  as  that  sea  was 
unknown,  we  set  forth  at  a  season  so  inopportune  that  this  alone 
was  the  principal  cause  of  onr  misfortune.  Being  obliged  to  sail 
early  in  March,  I  entered  the  gulf  of  California  about  the  middle 

1.    Vlicaino  says  here,  u  he  generally  iBys,  otsenada,  which  BlKniflei  hight;  here,  and 
eltewbere,  I  uw  the  wordi  eoatl  and  Ultoral  ah  more  fitting  to  express  his  meaning. 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection.. 


35 


of  August,  during  the  season  of  north  and  northwest  winds  so 
furious  that,  as  experience  has  shown  to  us,  where  we  thought  to 
achieve  success  defeat  resulted.  As  to  the  fishing  for  pearls,  I 
believe  that  to  be  without  limit,  for  the  number  of  shells  on  the 
shore  is  very  great.  I  was  not- able  to  do  anything  in  the  way  of 
fishing  for  them  because  the  weather  was  so  bad  that  we  had  not 
time  even  to  repair  damages  and  were  obliged  to  return  with  the 
ships  injured  and  without  havir^g  been  able  to  pursue  the  voyage 
farther.  May  Your  Majesty  take  into  consideration  the  good 
intentions  which  animated  me,  though  but  a  poor  vassal  ;  let  my 
superabundant  good-will  be  weighed  against  what  my  energy 
failed  to  accomplish.  I  offer  myself  again  for  the  service  of  Your 
Majesty,  as  my  king  and  suzerain,  myself  and  what  remains  tome 
of  fortune  and  life  ;  and  I  would  that  these  were  greater,  so  that  I 
might  dedicate  all  to  your  royal  service  with  the  earnestness  that 
is  due,  and  as  1  wish.  May  Our  Lord  guard  Your  Majesty  many 
yean-.,  as  is  necessary  for  the  .sake  of  Christendom  and  as  your 
serv'ants  and  vassals  desire.  Mexico,  twenty-seventh  of  February, 
one  thousand  five  hundred  and  ninety-seven. 

The  servant  of  Your  Majesty, 

Sebastian  Vizcaino. 


Document  No.  lo. 


DELACION  que  Sebastian  Vizcaino  a  cuyo  cargo  fue  la  Jornada 
*^  de  las  Californias,  da  para  el  Rey  nuestro  Sefior,  dando  a 
entender  lo  que  vido  en  la  dicha  Jornada  desde  el  puerto  de  Aca- 
pulco  hasta  paraje  de  veinte  y  nueve  grados  dentro  de  la  ensenada 
de  Californias  a  la  parte  de  norue.ste  ques  desde  donde  se  bolvio 
por  no  poder  pasar  adelante  por  el  tiempo  ser  contrario  y  aversele 
quebrado  los  hierros  del  timon  con  una  tormenta  y  lo  que  vio  en  la 
tierra  y  mar  y  cntiende  de  la  Jornada  es  lo  sigiuente. 

Primeramente  advierto  que  desde  el  puerto  de  Acapulco  ques 
donde  salio  hasta  el  de  Calagua  ay  cien  leguas  por  mar  costa  a 
costa. 

Desde  el  puerto  de  Calagua  al  cabo  de  corrientes  ay  sesenta 
leguas  siempre  por  la  costa. 


7"^ 

■i 

0:l:^  'I, 


36 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


Desde  este  cabo  de  corrientes  d  las  yslas  de  San  Juan  de  Macal- 
lan ay  setenta  leguas,  yendo  ya  por  la  ensenada  de  las  Californias 
governando  al  norte. 

Desde  estas  yslas  al  puerto  de  Culiacan  ay  cuarenta  leguas 
governando  al  norte. 

Desde  este  puerto  d  balde  hermoso  paraje  de  Sinaloa  ay  cincuenta 
leguas. 

Desde  este  paraje  atrabesd  la  ensenada  y  boca  de  las  Californias 
que  podra  tener  de  atravesia  ochenta  leguas. 

Tomd  tierra  de  la  otra  banda  en  altura  de  veinte  y  quatro  grades 
en  una  baya  muy  grande  que  de  la  parte  de  la  mar  la  cercan  dos 
yslas  muy  grandes  en  baya  capaz  para  mucha  cantidad  de  navios  y 
puerto  limpio. 

En  este  paraje  me  salieron  mucha  cantidad  de  yndios  a  resibir 
de  paz  y  en  ella  estubieron  el  tiempo  que  en  el  dicho  paraje  estube 
y  lo  que  en  el  me  sucedi6  fu6  que  queriendo  decir  los  religiosos 
misa,  hecho  un  altar  en  tierra  saque  del  navio  la  ymagen  de  nues- 
tra  seiiora  para  ponella  en  el  dicho  altar  llevandola  en  procesion 
desde  la  playa  al  paraje  donde  estaba  dicho  altar,  en  este  tiempo 
lleg6  un  yndio  principal  con  mas  de  ochocientos  yndios  con  arcos 
y  flechas  y  los  sail  a  resibir  y  ellos  se  me  binieron  de  paz  y  llegando 
ante  la  ymagen  de  nuestra  senora  hincandome  de  rodillas  besando 
sus  pies  y  el  frayle  que  la  tenia  las  manos,  visto  esto  el  dicho 
yndio  ech6  de  si  el  arco  y  flecha  que  traya  y  se  huraill6  delante  de 
la  dicha  ymagen  besandole  sus  pies  y  mirando  al  cielo  y  al  sol, 
decia  por  sefias  qui  si  aquella  ymagen  avia  venido  del  y  dandoselo 
a  entender  por  sefias  di6  grandes  voces  d  los  demas  yndios  sus 
companeros  los  quales  acudieron  d  hacer  lo  que  el  dicho  yndio 
avia  hecho  de  que  todos  los  espatioles  que  alii  ybamos  sentimos  el 
contento  que  hera  razon  y  llevando  la  dicha  ymagen  en  prosesion 
dponer  en  el  aiLai  siempre  fud  el  dicho  yndio  principal  danzanJo 
d  su  usanza  delante  della. 

En  este  paraje  tome  posesion  de  la  tierra  ante  los  dichos  yndios 
quieta  y  pacificamente  y  los  dichos  yndios  dandoselo  d  entender 
por  sefias  lo  tuvieron  por  bien  :  puse  por  nombre  d  la  provincia  la 
Nueva  Andalucia  ;  al  puerto  San  Felipe  ;  y  d  las  dos  yslas  d  la  una 
la  ysla  de  San  Francisco  y  d  la  otra  San  Sebastian. 

En  este  paraje  estube  cincodias  y  no  pude  detenerme  mas  respeto 
de  ser  la  tierra  muy  fragosa  y  no  aber  aguaduce  que  beber. 

Deste  paraje  pase  d  otro  que  estd  mas  al  norueste  como  quince 
leguas  de  que  hace  una  gran  ensenada  con  muchos  baxios  y  al 
entrar  en  ^1  me  calm6  el  viento  y  como  las  corrientes  son   nuchas  y 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  CoUcction. 


37 


de  Macat- 
Californias 

;nta  leguas 

y  cincuenta 

Californias 

latro  grades 
cercan  dos 
de  naviosy 

3S  a  resibir 
araje  estube 
s  religiosos 
;n  de  nues- 
n  procesion 
este  tiempo 
)S  con  arcos 
iz  y  llegando 
las  besando 
to  el  dicho 
)  delante  de 
o  y  al  sol, 
y  dandoselo 

yndios  sus 
iicho  yndio 

sentimos  el 
;n  prosesion 
il  danzanJo 

:hos  yndios 

d   entender 

jrovincia  la 

slas  a  la  una 

;  mas  respeto 
sber. 

omo  quince 
saxios  y  al 
on   nuchas  y 


la  nao  hera  de  mas  de  seiscientas  toneladas,  me  llev6  a  un  baxo 
donde  estuvequatro  dias  en  seco  de  que  fu^  precise  alijar  y  cortar 
los  arboles  y  sacar  los  bastimentos  d  tierra  en  planchadas  de  que  se 
me  mojaron  muchos  y  perdieron  y  al  cabo  de  los  dichos  quatro  dias 
con  la  creciente  me  sac6  la  dicha  corriente  del  baxo  y  entrd  en  esta 
dicha  ensenada,  la  qual  puse  por  nombre  la  de  la  paz  porque  en 
ella  me  salieron  d  rescibir  muchos  yndios  dandonos  lo  que  tenian 
como  heran  pescado  muchas  frutas  de  la  tierra  ca(;a  de  conejos, 
liebres,  benados. 

En  este  paraje  hice  alto  fortificandorae  en  un  fuerte  que  hice  de 
estacada  y  faxina  por  no  poder  pasar  mas  adelante  con  la  nao 
capitana  por  estar  desaparejada  y  comenzar  en  aquella  tierra  el 
ynvierno  por  el  raes  de  Octubre  ques  qu^indo  estuve  en  este  paraje. 

Y  deseoso  de  descubrir  toda  la  ensenada  me  determine  de  con  el 
navio  pequeno  y  lancha  entrar  la  boca  dentro  a  descubrilla  dex- 
ando  en  este  paraje  la  nao  capitana  y  la  gente  casada  y  mas  emba- 
razosa  llevando  conmigo  ochenta  ombres  y  asi  lo  hice  dexando  al 
capitan  Rodrigo  de  Figueroa  por  mi  teniente  en  este  paraje.  Sail 
deste  puerto  questd  en  veinte  y  cinco  grados  escasos  d  tres  de 
Octubre  y  yendo  navegando  por  la  dicha  ensenada  tuve  una  gran 
tormenta  de  viento  norte,  durome  quatro  dias  y  al  cabo  dellos  me 
dio  un  huracan  de  viento  sur  de  que  estube  muy  d  pique  de  per- 
derme  que  me  duro  dos  dias  y  al  cabo  dellos  ceso  y  me  hall^  en 
paraje  de  veinte  y  siete  grados  metido  entre  seis  yslas  y  muchos 
baxos  que  Dios  por  su  misericordia  me  libro  y  siendo  de  dia  me 
salierron  de  tierra  cinco  piraguas  de  yndios  haciendo  senas  que 
fuese  d  su  tierra  prometiendo  cosas  de  comer  y  agua  que  llevaba 
falta  ;  y  ansi  arribe  al  paraje  que  los  yndios  me  senalaban  y  salte 
en  tierra  con  quarenta  y  cinco  ombres  y  en  ella  me  rescibieron 
mucha  suma  de  yndios  dandome  pescado  fruta  y  mostrandome 
gran  contento  en  avernos  vist  >  y  en  este  paraje  uno  de  mis  soldados 
desconsideradamente  di6  d  u  no  de  los  dichos  yndios  sin  yo  bello 
con  el  cabo  del  arcabuz  en  los  pechos  de  que  se  nojaron  los  dichos 
yndios  y  nos  tiraron  algunas  flechas  aunque  no  de  mucha  consid- 
eracion  y  visto  el  atrevimiento  de  los  j'ndios  mande  disparar  qua- 
tro arcabuces  por  alto  para  asombrallos  y  no  ofendellos,  al  ruydo 
de  la  polvora  cayeron  todos  en  el  suelo  y  pasado  el  humo  della  se 
levantaron  y  visto  que  no  se  les  avia  hecho  dailo  con  mas  ympetu 
volvieron  d  flechar  de  que  mande  abaxar  d  los  mios  la  mano  y  a  la 
primera  rociada  cayeron  no  se  quantos  de  que  los  demas  comenza- 
ron  d  huir  por  una  serrania  arriba,  y  visto  que  en  este  paraje  no 
avia  que  hacer  me  embarque  para  pasar  adeiante  y  siendo  la  cha- 


"T 


38 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


lupa  que  Ilevaba  pequena  no  nos  pudimos  embarcar  todos  dexando 
al  sargento  mayor  en  tierra  con  la  mitad  d  quien  envi^  luego  la 
chalupa  y  entre  los  dichos  soldados  tuvieron  luego  diferencias 
sobre  quicn  lo  avia  hecho  mejor  de  que  no  se  embarcaron  quando 
se  le  mand6  de  que  se  hizo  gran  diligencia  y  vista  la  determinacion 
de  castigar  algunos  desobedientes  se  envarcaron  y  viniendo  para  ei 
navio  ya  desviados  de  tierra  llegaron  por  una  playa  gran  golpe  de 
yndios  tirando  flechas  por  alto  de  que  una  dellas  di6  en  la  nariz  a 
uno  de  los  marineros  que  venian  bogando  y  como  se  sintio  herido 
lo  dexo  de  liacer  y  el  otro  haciendo  su  oficio  tom6  la  chalupa  por 
abante  y  a  este  alboroto  los  soldados  que  venian  enella  comenzaron 
d  menearse  de  que  hicieron  a  la  banda  y  con  el  peso  se  sosobr6  la 
dicha  chalupa  y  los  cogio  debajo  y  como  estaban  armados  se  fueron 
a  pique  y  de  veinte  y  cinco  se  escaparon  seis  a  nado,  por  ser  las 
armas  que  llevaban  de  cuero  y  con  tablas  que  fueron  socorridos. 

Visto  la  desgracia  cjue  en  este  paraje  nos  sucedi6  y  quedar  sin 
chalupa  ni  servicio  coii  que  poder  saltar  en  tierra  ni  tomar  agua  y 
que  la  lancha  con  la  tunnenta  pasada  no  parecia  con  acuerdo  de 
todos  torn^  arribar  al  puerto  de  la  paz  donde  avia  dejado  los  demas 
coinpaiieros.  Llegado  a  este  dicho  puerto  y  entendido  por  los 
demas  lo  que  avia  sucedido  de  las  grandes  tormentas  que  aviamos 
pasado  y  la  perdida  de  los  conipaiieros  desmayaron  muchos  dellos 
y  mas  la  gente  de  la  mar  que  conocido  el  ynvierno  y  tiempo  forzoso 
no  se  atrevian  a  navegar  de  que  me  pidieron  los  volviese  a  la  nueva 
espana  pues  no  podian  pasar  adelante  y  envernar  alH  no  podia  ser 
porque  la  tierra  hera  falta  de  bastimentos  y  grandes  serranias  que 
no  se  podia  entrar  por  ellas  y  los  bastimentos  que  aviamos  llevado 
avia  ya  pocos  porque  con  la  perdida  del  navio  San  Francisco  avian 
benido  a  menos  y  los  que  se  avian  gastado  y  para  poder  ynvernar 
no  avia  hartos  y  para  que  no  pereciesemos  les  di  licencia  para  que 
en  el  navio  San  Francisco  y  lancha  se  volviesen  a  esta  nueva 
espaiia  quedandome  con  el  navio  San  Joseph  y  con  quarenta  horn- 
bres  de  mar  y  guerra  los  mas  bien  yntencionados  para  entrar  por 
ia  dicha  ensenada  a  descubrilla  del  todo. 

Dfcste  paraje  sali  a  veinte  y  ocho  de  Octubre  del  dicho  aiio  de 
noventa  y  siete  yo  para  descubrir  la  dicha  ensenada  y  los  demas 
para  la  nueva  espaiia. 

Siguiendo  mi  viage  tuve  muchas  tormentas,  tietnpos  contraries 
de  nortes  y  noruestes  que  son  los  mas  contrarios  que  como  la  boca 
esta  de  norte  a  sur  y  mi  navegacion  es  al  norte  me  fueron  contra- 
rios de  tal  manera  que  en  sesenta  y  siete  dias  questuve  dentro  de  la 
dicha  boca  despues  de  venida  la  demas  gente  no  pude  subir  mas  de 


liasta  veini 
manera  qu 
cido  el  yn\ 
por  requer: 
governand 

Lo  que  e 
lo  que  deb< 

Primerai 
ella  por  mi 
Dies  nuesti 
alH  ay  y  de 
lio  que  enei 

Ansi  mis 
lespaiia  y  m 
que  comien 
lay  mas  de  t 

Ansi  mis 
Iporque  en 
lellas  y  qus 
n  marinen 
ron  tresegos 
que  dexase 
lies  entrari 
erdad  esto 
ue  vuestra 
Ansi  mis 
lescado  de  t 
Ansi  misi 
tantas  cri£ 
n  esto  no  a 
Ansi  misi 
ndios  natui 
lorueste   ve 
estida  y  qu 
uchas  mar 
[ierra  y  de  c 
Ito  dando  d 
le  dixeron 
aunque  mi 
ichas. 

Y  siendo  \ 
ue  ya  se  a  < 


Doruments  from  the  Sntro  Col/erh'on. 


,V) 


io  herklo 
ilupa  por 
menzaroii 
iosobr6  la 
se  fueron 
)r  ser  las 
>rridos. 
uedar   siu 
ir  agua  y 
cuerdo  de 
los  denias 
do  por  los 
e  aviamos 
hos  dellos 
po  forzoso 
a.  la  iiueva 
podia  ser 
anias  que 
OS  llevado 
:isco  avian 
ynvernar 
para  que| 
sta   nueva 
enta  horn- 
jiitrar   por 

lo   ano   de 
los  denias 

contraries 
no  la  boca 
on  contra- 
entro  de  la 
bir  mas  de 


hasta  veinte  y  nueve  grados  y  esto  forcejando  con  el  navio  de  tal 
manera  que  se  me  quebraron  los  hierros  del  timon  y  visto  y  conos- 
cido  el  ynvierno  y  que  no  podiamos  pasar  adelante  con  el  navio 
por  requerimiento  de  todos  pas6  al  puerto  de  las  yslas  de  Macatlan 
governando  con  las  escotas  trayendonos  Dios  de  misericordia. 

Lo  que  entiendo  desta  Jornada  por  descargo  de  mi  conciencia  y 
lo  que  debo  a  cristiano  y  a  leal  vasallo  advierto  lo  siguiente. 

Primeramente  me  parece  conviene  baya  adelante  y  se  buelva  a 
ella  por  muchas  razones  ;  la  primera  por  el  mucho  servicio  que  k 
Dios  nuestro  senor  se  hard  en  la  conversion  de  tantas  almas  como 
alii  ay  y  de  tan  buena  gana  dieron  muestras  de  rescibir  el  evange- 
lio  que  enesto  confio  en  Dios  se  hard  con  mucha  facilidad. 

Ansi  mismo  advierto  que  la  tierra  es  mas  dos  veces  questa  nueva 
lespana  y  mejor  altura  y  paraje  porque  desde  veinte  y  un  grados 
que  comienza  el  cabo  de  San  Lucas  yendo  a  la  parte  del  norueste 
lay  mas  de  mill  leguas  de  tierra  firme  y  esto  lo  he  visto. 

Ansi  mismo  advierto  que  lo  ques  perlas  ay  gran  suma  y  ricas 
lorque  en  los  parajes  donde  yo  estuve  heran  todos  comederos 
lellas  y  quando  el  navio  San  Francisco  estuvo  encallado  echandose 
in  marinero  al  agua  en  unas  hostias  que  sac6  en  una  dellas  halla- 
•on  tresegos  de  alsofar  bueno  y  los  yndios  por  senas  me  dixeron 
que  dexase  pasar  el  ynvierno  que  la  mar  estaria  sosegada  y  (jue 
illos  entrarian  y  sacarian  mucha  cantidad  y  para  muestra  de  ques 
fprdad  esto  envio  dos  perlas  de  las  que  los  yndios  me  dieron  por- 
|ue  vuestra  Magestad  las  vea. 

Ansi  mismo  advierto  que  en  la  mar  ay  la  mayor  cantidad  de 
)escado  de  toda  suerte  que  ay  en  mar  descubierta. 
Ansi  mismo  advierto  en  las  marinas  ay  gran  cantidad  de  Salinas 
tantas  criadas  de  naturaleza  que  se  pueden  cargar  mill  flotas  y 
in  esto  no  ay  que  aver  duda  ninguna  porque  lo  vide. 
Ansi  mismo  advierto  que  por  relacion  que  tuve  de  los  dichos 
ndios  naturales  por  senas  que  en  la  tierra  dentro  d  la  parte  del 
lorueste  veinte  dias  de  caraino  avia  mnchas  poblaciones  gente 
'estida  y  que  trayan  en  las  orejas  y  narices  oro,  y  que  avia  plata, 
luchas  mantas  de  algodon,  maiz  y  bastimentos  y  gallinas  de  la 
[ierra  y  de  castilla  y  tomando  avena  en  sus  manos  la  echaban  por 
ilto  dando  d  entender  que  como  avena  avia  gente  adelante  y  esto 
:e  dixeron  los  dichos  yndios  no  en  un  paraje  solo  sino  en  muchos 
aunque  mi  voluntad  fu6  pasar  adelante  no  pude  por  las  razones 
lichas. 

Y  siv^ndo  vuestra  Magestad  servido  de  que  esta  Jornada  se  consiga 
lue  ya  se  a  entendido  los  tiempos  de  la  navegacion  y  lo  que  se  a 


V- 


I     4 


40 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


de  Uevar  se  asertar6  y  serd  servido  Dios  nuestro  sefior  y  vuestra 
Magestad  y  su  real  corona  acrecentada  y  atento  k  que  de  la  Jornada 
pasada  he  quedado  disposibilitado  de  posible  para  que  yo  la  pueda 
hacer  d  mi  costa  al  presente  aventurar^  mi  persona  y  poco  posible 
que  me  ha  quedado  en  vuestro  real  servicio  ques  lo  que  deve  un 
buen  vasallo  y  bien  yntencionado  por  su  senor  ayudandome  e 
haciendome  merced  a  mi  y  d  los  que  volvieren  k  la  Jornada  ;  pido 
por  esta  relacion  y  en  ella  pedir^  como  criado  haciendonos  vuestra 
Magestad  merced  como  nuestro  Rey  y  Senor. 

Lo  que  yo  Sebastian  Vizcaino  pido  k  vuestra  real  Magestad  ansi  I 
para  ayuda  de  costa  como  raercedes  para  que  la  Jornada  se  consigaj 
con  el  bien  que  se  pretende. 

Primeramente  se  me  ha  de  dar  de  la  real  caxa   paia   ayuda  del 
costa   para   bastimentos  y  navios  socorro  de  gente  y  otras  cosas 
necesarias  para  el  dicho  avio  treinta  y  cinco  mill  pesos  en  moneda 
y  estos  no  ban  de  entrar  en  mi  poder  sino  en   la   persona   que  sul 
Magestad  nombre  6  el  Virrey  en  su  nombre  para  que  dellos  comprej 
las  cosas  necesarias  para  la  dicha  Jornada. 

Yten  he  de  ser  despachado  de  parte  de  vuestra  Magestad  en  ell 
puerto  de  Acapulco  los  navios  de  carena  carpenteria,  xarcia,  velasi 
y  las  demas  cosas  necesarias  hasta  poner  los  dichos  navios  a  la| 
vela. 

Yten  se  me  ha  de  dar  en  el  dicho  puerto  de  los  reales  almacenes] 
cincuenta  quintales  de  xarcia  menuda  para  llevar  de  respeto. 

Yten  se  me  ha  de  dar  ochenta  arrobas  de  polvora. 

Yten  cincuenta  quintales  de  brea. 

Yten  treinta  quintales  de  estopa. 

Yten  treinta  quintales  de  clavazon  de  toda  suerte. 

Veinte  y  cinco  quintales  de  plomo. 

Veinte  quintales  de  cuerda  para  alcabuces. 

Veinte  piezas  de  lona. 

Quarenta  pipas  vacias  hechas  en  quarto  para  la  aguada. 

Quatro  mill  estoperoles  y  veinte  mill  tachuelas  de  bomba. 

Yten  se  me  han  de  dar  seis  calabrotes  para  marras  de  los  dicho| 
navios. 

Todo  lo  qual  se  me  ha  de  dar  con  las  condiciones  sigiuentes. 

Primeramente  que  en  mi  poder  no  ha  de  entrar  ninguna  cosa  dtj 
lo  aqui  contenido  sino  en  poder  del  tenedor  de  bastimentos  qui 
fuere  nombrado  por  el  Virrey  para  que  del  dinero  compre  lo  necesj 
ario  conforme  a  las  memorias  que  se  le  dieran  y  de  lo  demas 
tenga  en  su  poder  para  lo  que  fuere  necesario  en  el  descurso  de 
Jornada. 


reynos 
de  dar  y 
ella  dos 
rescibid 
le  sea  gi 
quezas 
forme  d 
Yten 
alcabala 
Jornada 
por  via 
Espaiia. 
Ase  d 
pueda  ei 
nada  ni 
general 
Ase  di 
venden 
Jornada 


Documents  from  the  Siitro  Collection. 


41 


y  vuestra 
la  Jornada 
3  la  pueda 
CO  posible 
;  deve  uii 
dandome  e 
lada  ;  pido 
los  vuestra 

jestad  ansi 
se  consiga 

ayuda  de 
otras  cosas 
en  moneda 
ona  que  su 
iUos  conipre 


;estad  en  el 
:arcia,  velas 
navios   a 


la 


!S  almacenesl 
speto. 


ida. 

omba. 

e  los  dicho! 

giuentes. 

una  cosa  dt 
;imentos  qw 
ipre  lo  neces 

lo  demas  1( 
gscurso  de 


Yten  es  declaracion  (jue  todo  lo  que  niontare  atisi  del  dinero 
como  de  la  carena  y  despacho  de  los  navios  conu)  de  lo  que  valiere 
las  demas  cosas  que  pido  lian  de  ser  apreciadas  en  el  puerto  de 
Acapulco  de  que  hare  escritura  de  volvello  a  su  Magestad  de  lo 
primero  que  Dios  me  diere  en  el  descurso  de  la  diclia  Jornada  con 
declaracion  que  si  por  algun  caso  fortuyto  no  se  consiguiese  lo  (jue 
se  pretende  d  de  correr  el  riesgo  la  parte  de  su  Magestad  de  lo  que 
ansi  me  diere  con  que  buelto  que  sea  al  puerto  de  Acapulco  6  otro 
de  la  costa  de  la  Nueva  Espaiia  lo  que  oviere  quedado  en  especie  se 
entregara  d  la  parte  de  su  Magestad  sin  que  el  dicho  Sebastian 
Vizcaino  quede  obligado  a  pagar  en  caso  fortuyto  cosa  alguna. 

Demas  desto  d  de  concederme  vuestra  Magestad  y  hacer  merced 
a  los  que  ovieren  de  yr  a  la  dicha  Jornada  las  cosas  siguientes. 

Primeramente  para  animar  d  la  dicha  gente  se  las  d  de  conceder 
que  puestos  en  la  real  corona  puertos  de  mar  cabeceras  y  ciudades 
los  demas  pueblos  se  les  ha  de  encomendar  d  la  dicha  gente  por  la 
h6rden  que  los  demas  pueblos  de  las  yndias  estan  encomendados 
y  esto   por  cinco  vidas  de  que  se  a  de  enviar  cedula  particular. 

Yten  se  a  de  conceder  d  la  dicha  gente  para  que  mas  se  animen 
y  vayan  d  servir  a  vuestra  magestad  y  gasten  su  hacienda  y  aven- 
turen  su  persona,  para  honrrallos  d  ellos  y  a  sus  descendientes 
haciendolos  caballeros  hijosdalgo,  y  que  esta  merced  gozen  ansi  en 
las  tierras  que  poblaren  como  en  las  demas  provincias  de  las  yndias, 
reynos  de  Castilla  y  con  un  treslado  de  la  cedula  que  para  esto  se  a 
de  dar  y  certificacion  de  que  fue  d  la  dicha  Jornada  y  estuvo  en 
ella  dos  anos  y  poblo  y  el  santo  evangelic  en  las  provincias  fue 
rescibido  y  que  el  tal  ayudo  a  ello  se  le  de  ejecutoria  dello  la  qual 
le  sea  guardada  en  todos  las  dichos  reynos  con  las  mercedes  fran- 
quezas  y  libertades  que  gozan  los  demas  caballeros  hijosdalgo  con- 
forme  d  los  fueros  de  Castilla  de  lycon. 

Yten  se  ha  de  dar  cedula  para  que  por  treinta  aiios  no  paguen 
alcabala  y  almoxarifasgo  de  lo  que  llevaren  ni  enviaren  de  la  dicha 
Jornada  para  el  sustento  y  honrramiento  de  sus  personas  y  siendo 
por  via  de  granjeria  lo  paguen  como  se  acostumbra  en  la  Nueva 
Espafia. 

Ase  de  dar  cedula  para  que  ninguna  justicia  deste  reyno  se 
pueda  entremeter  ni  conocer  de  causa  dependiente  de  la  dicha  Jor- 
nada ni  con  la  gente  della  si  no  fuere  el  Virrey  della  como  capitan 
general  d  quien  siempre  se  an  destar  sujetos. 

Ase  de  dar  cedula  para  que  por  los  precios  que  los  bastimentos  se 
venden  entre  los  naturales  desta  nueva  e.spana  se  tomen  para  esta 
Jornada  pagandoselo  ansi  para  lo  que  de  presente  fuere   menester 


TT 


42 


Historical  Society  of  Soiilhcni  California. 


como  para  lo  que  .sc  enviare  a  pedir  de  socorros  y  para  llevallos  a 
los  puertos  se  puedati  toiiuir  requas  pagandolas  sus  fletes  como  se 
acostuinbra  pagar  en  los  que  se  lie  van  de  Acapulco  para  el  des- 
pacho  de  los  navies  de  cliina. 

Y  consediendose  las  niercedes  y  ayuda  de  costa  que  pido  me 
ofresco  llevar  11  la  dicha  Jornada  para  avio  della  lo  siguiente. 

Prinieramentt  llevare  cinco  navios  con  el  artilleria  suficiente  que 
fuere  menester. 

Vten  llevare  cieiito  y  cinquenta  hombres  de  mar  y  guerra  y  entre 
ellos  algunos  buzos  oficiales  de  carpinteria  y  otros  oficios. 

Yten  llevare  armas  suficientcs  para  estos  cientoy  cinquenta  hom- 
bres y  con  las  municiones  que  fueren  menester. 

Yten  llevare  bastimento  suficiente  para  un  afio  para  estos  ciento 
y  cinquenta  hombres  y  antes  mas  de  biscochos,  niahiz,  harina, 
tocino,  aceyte,  vinagre,  haba,  garvan/o,  cecina  y  otras  legumbres 
que  sc  Uevan  a  seinejantes  jornadas. 

Yten  llevare  rastros  para  la  pesqueria  de  perlas  chinchoros 
el  pescado,  niineros  para  descubrir  tninas  y  aderezo  para    funuir 
metales. 

\'ten  llevare  hornamentos  para  los  religiosos  para  celebrar  el 
culto  divino. 

Yten  llevare  quatro  pipas  de  vino  para  la  niisa  y  frayles  etifermos. 

Yten  llevare  para  dar  a  los  yndios  naturales  dos  mill  pesos  em- 
pleados  para  dalles  de  vestidos  y  otras  menudencias  que  ellos 
apetecen  para  traellos  de  paz  que  resciban  el  santo  evangelio. 

Yten  llevare  la  gente  a  mi  costa  a  los  puertos  donde  ovieren  de 
embarcarse,  sin  que  d  los  naturales  desta  nueva  espana  se  les  haga 
vejacion  sino  que  se  les  pague  lo  que  dieren  como  corre  entre  ellos. 

Demas  desto  pagare  a  vuestra  Magestad  el  quinto  de  todo  el  oro, 
'  plata,    perlas,    piedras   preciosas   y    otros  metales  de  valor  que  se 
hallaren  en  el  dicho  de.scubrimiento  y  esto  siempre. 

Yten  pagare  el  die/.mo  del  pescado  que  .se  pescare  aderczado  y 
enbarillado  como  se  enviare  lo  demas  y  a  mi  costa  .se  entregara  en 
el  puerto  de  Acapulco  a  los  oficiales  de  vuestra  real  hacienda. 

Yten  pagare  la  veintena  parte  de  toda  la  sal  que  de  la  dicha 
Jornada  se  sacare  y  enviare  a  los  puertos  de  la  nueva  espaiia  y  esto 
lo  despachare  a  mi  costa  sin  que  de  parte  de  vuestra  Magestad  se 
ga.ste  ninguna  cosa. 

Ansi  mismo  me  obligare  de  descubrir  todi.  la  ensenada  y  boca  de 
las  Californias  y  de  toda  ella  tomare  posesion  por  vuestra  Magestad 
poniendo  puertos  de  mar,  cabeceras  y  ciudades  en  la  real  corona 
todo  lo  mas  quietamente  e  sin  hacer  agravio  a  los  naturales   della 


Narrat 
expeditic 
of  the  Ki 
said  exp{ 
nine  degi 
northwes 
on  farthe 
irons  had 
and  learn 

First : 

to  that  of 

losing  sig 

From  t 

sixty  leaf 

From 
is  a  dista; 
the  gulf  ( 

From 
forty  leag 

From 
leagues. 

From  t 
tance  ma' 
I  made 
very  larg 
islands, 
ships,  the 

1.    Thed 
may  be  said 
fecttoD  0/  th< 
diNMten  at  s 


Documents  from  ihe  Sutro  Collection. 


43 


)ido   me 

;e. 

ente  que 


sino  con  buenos  raodos  y  dadivas  para  atraellos  al  servicio  de  Dio.H 
y  de  vuestra  Magestad. 

Yten  que  poblar6  en  la  parte  mas  conveniente  que  hallare  en  la 
dicha  tierra  y  hare  fuertes  y  descubrird  cien  leguas  la  ticrra  adentro 
y  en  todo  hard  lo  que  pudiere  y  lo  que  devo  k  leal  vasallo  de 
vuestra  Magestad.     Sebastian  Vizcaino. 


TRANSLATION. 


gumbres 


^nfermos. 
esos  eni- 
^ue  ellos 
ilio. 

I'ieren  de 
;  les  haga 
itre  ellos. 
do  el  oro, 
or  que  se 

rczado  y 
regard  en 
nda. 

la  dicha 
na  y  esto 
.gestad  se 

boca  de 
Magestad 
al  corona 
ales  della 


Narration  that  Sebastian  Vizcaino,  under  who.se  command  the 
expedition  to  the  Californias  was  sent  out,  gives  forth  information 
of  the  King  our  Lord — giving  account  of  what  he  saw  during  the 
said  expedition  from  the  port  of  Acapulco  to  a  place  in  twenty- 
nine  degrees  of  latitude,  within  the  gulf  of  Californias,  to  the 
northwestward,  from  which  place  he  returned,  not  being  able  to  go 
on  farther  because  the  weather  was  unfavorable  and  the  rudder- 
irons  had  been  broken  in  a  storm.  What  he  saw  by  land  and  sea 
and  learned  during  the  expedition  is  as  follows  : 

First :  he  says  that  from  the  port  of  Acapulco,  whence  he  sailed, 
to  that  of  Calagua  it  is  a  distance  of  one  hundred  leagues,  not 
losing  sight  of  the  land. 

From  the  port  of  Calagua  to  Cape  Corrientes  it  is  a  distance  of 
sixty  leagues,  still  along  the  coast  line. 

From  Cape  Corrientes  to  the  islands  of  San  Juan  de  Mazatlan  it 
is  a  distance  of  seventy  leagues,  the  course  being  north  and  within 
the  gulf  of  Californias. 

From  these  islands  to  the  port  of  Culiacan  it  is  a  distance  of 
forty  leagues,  the  course  being  north. 

From  this  port  to  Balde  Hermoso,  a  place  in  Sinaloa,  it  is  fifty 
leagues. 

From  this  place  I  stood  a«jross  the  gulf  of  Californias  ;  the  dis- 
tance may  be  eighty  leagues. ' 

I  made  a  landfall  on  the  other  coast  in  latitude  twenty-four,  in  a 
very  large  bay,  which  to  seaward  is  shut  in  by  two  very  large 
islands,  a  bay  which  is  of  capacity  sufficient  for  a  great  number  of 
ships,  the  harbor  being  free  from  obstructions. 

1.  The  distances  given  here  by  Vizcaino  are  very  much  out  of  the  way.  The  same  thing 
may  be  aald  of  all  the  dlBtances  given  by  him  in  this  report.  When  wo  consider  the  imper- 
fection of  the  instruments  used  by  navigators  of  those  days  it  is  a  matter  of  wonder  that 
disasters  at  sea  were  not  more  frequent. 


J 


44 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


At  this  place  there  came  to  me  a  great  mimber  of  Indians,  who 
received  me  peacefully,  and  who  remained  at  that  place  while  I 
was  there.  What  happened  there  is  this :  The  clergy  being 
desirous  of  celebrating  the  mass,  and  an  altar  having  been  erected 
on  shore,  I  caused  the  image  of  Our  Lady  to  be  taken  out  of  the 
ship  for  the  purpose  of  placing  it  on  the  altar,  and  it  was  carried  in 
procession  from  the  beach  to  the  place  where  the  altar  was.  At 
this  time  there  appeared  an  Indian  chief,  accompanied  by  more 
than  eight  hundred  Indians  armed  with  bows  and  arrows,  I  went 
forth  to  meet  them  and  they  came  to  me  in  peace.  Going  to  where 
the  imare  of  Our  Lady  was,  I  fell  upon  my  knees,  kissing  its  feet, 
as  did  the  friar  who  held  its  hands.  vSeeing  this,  the  said  Indian 
threw  aside  the  bow  and  arrow  he  was  grasping  and  hum- 
bled himself  before  that  image,  kissing  its  feet  ;  looking  toward 
the  sky  and  the  sun,  he  asked  by  gestures  whether  that  image  had 
come  thence.  Making  himself  understood  by  signs,  he  shouted  to 
the  other  Indians,  his  companions,  who  drew  near  in  order  to  do 
as  this  Indian  had  done — whereat  all  of  us  Spaniards  who  were 
there  were  content,  as  it  was  fitting  we  .should  be.  And,  while  carry- 
ing the  image  in  procession  to  place  it  on  the  altar,  the  Ind'-'n 
chief  went  always  before  it,  dancing  after  the  manner  of  his  people. 

At  this  place  I  took  po,s.session  of  the  land,  in  the  presence  of 
these  Indians,  quietly  and  peacefully,  the  Indians  by  signs  giving 
it  to  be  understood  that  this  seemed  good  to  them.  I  named  the 
province  Nueva  Andalucia  ;  the  port,  San  Felipe  ;  the  two  islands, 
one  San  Francisco  and  the  other  San  Sebastian. - 

At  this  place  I  remained  five  days,  but  could  not  stay  longer 
becau.se  the  land  was  very  uninviting  and  there  was  no  drinkable 
water. 

From  this  place  I  went  on  to  another,  some  fifteen  leig-ues 
farther  on  to  the  northwest,  where  there  is  a  great  bay  with  many 
.shoals.  On  my  entering  there  the  wind  died  away  ;  and,  as  the 
currents  are  many  and  the  ship  of  more  than  six  hundred  tons 
burthen,  I  was  carried  upon  a  shoai  where  the  ship  remained 
aground  for  four  day.s — in  consequence  of  which  it  v.  as  necessary 
to  lighten  her  and  to  cut  away  the  masts  and  to  carry  the  provisions 
ashore  on  planks  and  the  like,  so  that  a  great  p?rt  of  them  wa.s 
wetted  and  lost.     After  the  four  days  had  passed,  when  the  moon 

2.  It  i8  impossible  for  mo  to  rIvc  with  certainty  the  inoderii  naincH  of  this  port  and 
the  two  islandN,  for  lack  of  reliable  maps  of  flower  California.  Yet,  if  the  (riven  latitude  be 
anywhere  pear  correct,  Sun  Felipe  was  to  the  southward  and  eastward  of  the  bay  which 
Vizcaino  culled  l.a  Paz,  the  inlandg  belnjr  O'ralbo  and  Esjilritu  Hanto.  The  bay  of  \m,  Pan 
Etill  retains  it«  name.  But  the  poiut<j  at  which  Vizcaino  touched  cannot  be  located  rcrr 
accurately. 


was  ful 
entered 
Indians 
had,  su< 
Atth 
structed 
with  the 
winter  \ 
that  plai 
But,  t 
enter  it  i 
lancha,  1 
married 
I  did,  lei 
this  plac 
five  degr 
gating  sa 
lasted  foi 
hurricane 
came  nea 
cessation, 
in  the  mi 
God  in  h 
came  fron 
we  shouh 
which  th 
showed  tc 
number  o 
ing  great 
unseen  by 
brea.st  wit 
angered  a 
Seeing  th( 
dischargee 
At  the  noi 
snioke  hai 
harm  had 
shooting  a 
and  at  the 
them,  upo 
I  slopes  of  t 
here,  I  .set 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


45 


was  full,  the  same  current  carried  me  away  from  the  shoal  and  I 
entered  the  bay,  which  I  named  La  Paz,  for  there  a  great  many 
Indians  came  forth  to  receive  me,  giving  to  us  what  provisions  they 
had,  such  as  fish,  many  fruits  of  the  earth,  rabbits,  hares  and  deer. 

At  this  place  I  halted,  fortifying  myself  in  a  foit  which  I  con- 
structed of  a  stockade  and  fascines,  as  I  could  go  no  farther 
with  the  flagship,  which  was  dismantled,  for  in  that  country  the 
winter  begins  in  the  month  of  October,  the  season  when  I  was  at 
that  place. 

But,  being  desirous  of  exploring  all  the  gulf,  I  determined  to 
enter  it  for  the  purpose  of  discovery  with  the  small  ship  and  the 
I'ancha,  leaving  at  this  place  the  flagship  and  the  people  who  were 
married  and  most  burdensome,  taking  with  me  eighty  men.  This 
I  did,  leaving  Captain  Rodrigo  de  Figueroa  as  my  lieutenant  at 
this  place.  I  left  this  port,  which  is  in  a  little  less  than  twenty- 
five  degrees  of  latitude,  on  the  3d  of  October.  While  I  was  navi- 
gating said  gulf  I  encountered  a  storm  from  the  north,  which 
lasted  four  days,  at  the  end  of  which  time  we  were  struck  by  a 
hurricane  from  the  south,  during  the  continuance  of  which  we 
came  near  foundering.  This  storm  lasted  two  days,  and,  on  its 
cessation,  I  found  myself  at  a  poi»it  in  latitude  twenty-seven,  and 
in  the  midst  of  six  islands  and  many  shoals,  from  which  it  pleased 
God  in  his  mercy  to  deliver  me  ;  and,  the  day  breaking,  there 
came  from  Ihe  land  five  canoes  full  of  Indians  making  signs  that 
we  should  go  ashore  and  promising  things  to  eat  and  water,  of 
which  there  was  lack.  So  I  came  to  a  place  which  the  Indians 
showed  to  me  and  went  ashore  with  forty-five  men.  There  a  great 
number  of  Indians  met  me,  giving  me  fish  and  fruit  and  manifest- 
ing great  content  in  seeing  us.  At  this  place  one  of  my  soldiers, 
unseen  by  me,  inconsiderately  struck  one  of  the  Inrlians  in  the 
breast  with  the  butt  of  his  arquebus,  at  which  the  Indians  were 
angered  and  discharged  some  arrows  at  us,  though  not  very  many. 
Seeing  the  boldne.ss  of  the  Indians,  I  ordered  four  arquebu.ses  to  be 
discharged  in  the  air,  in  order  to  frighten  without  injuring  them. 
At  the  noise  of  the  discharge  they  all  fell  to  the  ground  ;  but,  the 
smoke  having  cleared  away,  they  rose  up,  and,  seeing  that  no 
harm  had  been  done  to  them,  with  greater  earnestness  they  f"'l  to 
shooting  arrows  again.  On  this  I  ordered  my  people  to  fire  low, 
and  at  the  first  discharge  there  fell  I  do  not  know  how  many  of 
them,  upon  which  the  rest  of  them  began  to  run  away,  up  the 
slopes  of  the  mountain.  Seeing  that  nothing  could  be  accomplished 
here,  I  set  about  embarking,  in  order  to  pursue  my  journey;  but,  the 


46 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


long-boat  which  I  had  being  small ,  all  could  not  embark  at  once. 
So  I  left  the  major  with  half  of  the  people  on  shore,  sending  the 
long-boat  back  for  them  at  once.  Among  these  soldiers  presently 
there  arose  differences,  concerning  who  had  carried  himself  the 
better  in  the  fray,  so  that  they  did  not  embark,  when  ordered  to  do 
so,  without  some  delay;  but,  seeing  that  the  punishment  of  the 
disobedient  was  determined  upon,  they  embarked.  While  the 
boat  was  making  for  the  ship,  and  already  at  some  distance  from 
the  shore,  there  came  upon  the  scene  a  great  number  of  Indians 
shooting  arrows  and  aiming  high.  One  of  these  hit  one  of  the  oars- 
men on  the  nose,  who  ceased  rowing  when  he  felt  himself  wounded; 
the  man  on  the  other  side  continuing  his  work,  the  long-boat  took 
a  sheer  and  in  consequence  the  soldiers  on  board  w^ere  thrown  into 
disorder.  They  commenced  to  attempt  to  regain  their  positions  ; 
and,  while  this  was  being  accomplished,  the  long-boat  took  a  list 
to  one  side,  and  owing  to  the  weight,  upset  on  top  of  them  ;  and, 
as  they  were  fully  armed,  their  defensive  arms  being  of  leather  and 
boards,  they  went  under,  out  of  twenty-five  six  escaping  by  swim- 
ming and  being  rescued. 

In  view  of  the  misfortune  that  befell  us  at  this  place,  and  as  we 
were  without  a  long-boat  or  any  means  of  going  ashore  or  of  obtain- 
ing water,  and  as  the  lancha  had  not  appeared  since  the  storm,  all 
being  in  accord,  I  turned  backv/ard  for  the  port  of  I,a  Paz,  where  I 
had  left  the  other  comrades.  Having  reached  tlie  said  port,  and 
what  had  occurred  being  learned  by  these  others,  because  of  the 
severe  storms  we  had  experienced  and  the  loss  of  our  comrades, 
many  of  them  lo.st  heart,  especially  the  mariners,  who,  having  a 
knowledge  of  the  winter  and  the  inclement  weather,  were  afraid  to 
continue  the  navigation.  So  they  reque.sted  me  to  take  them  back 
to  New  Spain,  since  it  was  impossible  to  go  on  ;  while  to  winter  in 
that  place  was  equally  impossible  because  of  the  lack  of  food  in  the 
land  and  of  the  great  mountainous  wilds  which  it  was  impossible  to 
penetrate,  and  as  the  stock  of  provisions  we  had  brought  was  ver) 
greatly  reduce(l  by  tlie  disaster  to  the  ship  Sail  Francisco  as  well  as 
by  the  amount  consumed,  so  that  there  remained  not  enough  for 
wintering  there.  So,  that  we  might  not  perish,  I  gave  permission 
that  they  mii^ht  return  to  New  Spain  with  the  sliip  San  Francisco 
and  the  lancha,  while  I  would  rem.-iin  in  the  ship  San  foseph^  with 
forty  men,  between  sailors  and  soldier  .,  of  those  best  disposed  to 
push  on  into  the  said  gulf  with  intent  to  discover  the  whole  of  it. 


3.  In  thu  copy  of  tb(>  dorumciit  I  tximHci'ibK,  Ui«  naniv  of  ttiidiibiii  IK  not  writl'iiii  witli 
ftlf-Hniesf ,  but  \\w  ot>i>>  isi  iiiiiloubtj'dl)'  meant  to  wriff".S<iH  ./i>w»/)ft"— a  iiiil  iiticDiniiHin  varl« 
Uon  of  ".SaH  ./OTf". 


Wele 

ninety-si 
Spain. 

Follov 
winds  frt 
as  the  gi 
ward.     J 
remained 
not  ascer 
dint  of  di 
broke.     ' 
were  una 
with  the 
.Mazatlan 
conductii 
From  V 
discharge 
christian 
First : 
that  this  ( 
these  the 
God  our  1 
that  land, 
receive  tli 
very  easi 
I  note  £ 
and  is  pr< 
cing  at  Ca 
towards  tl 
mainland 
So  also 
lent  qual 
And,  whe 
the  water 
"trcse^os 
letting  tlu 
would  ent 

4.  ThlHln 
iDaoeurolfly, 

COSMt  tnMlllllli 

f).  In  thl> 
"Orreotly  copi 
OBt  of  use,  inf 
'cfscffo^,  nor  a 
»  word. 


Docinnents  from  the  Siitro  Collection. 


47 


:  at  once, 
ding  the 
presently 
nself  the 
;red  to  do 
nt  of  the 
;hile  the 
mce  from 
f  Indians 
f  the  oars- 
wounded  : 
boat  took 
rown  into 
positions ; 
)ok  a  list 
lem  ;  and, 
gather  and 
;  by  swim- 

and  as  we 
r  of  obtaiu- 

storm,  all 
iz,  where  I 

port,  and 
use   of  the 

comrades, 

having  a 

re  afraid  to 

them  back 
o  winter  in 

food  in  the 
ipossible  to 
It  was  verj- 

0  as  well  as 
enough  for 

permissiou 

n  Francisco 
osef>h^  with 

lisposed  to 

hole  of  it. 

cit  written  witt 
:\<:i>ininiiin  varl« 


We  left  this  place  on  the  twenty-eighth  of  October  of  the  year 
ninety-.seven— I  for  the  di.scovery  of  said  gulf  and  the  others  for  New 
Spain. 

Following  my  route,  I  encountered  many  storms  and  contrar)' 
winds  from  the  north  and  northwest,  these  being  the  most  contrary 
as  the  gulf  stretches  from  nonh  to  south  and  my  course  was  north- 
ward. So  contrary  were  they  t!iat,  during  the  sixty-six  days  I 
remained  in  the  gulf  alter  the  rest  of  the  people  had  left,  I  could 
not  ascend  it  farther  than  latitude  twenty-nine,  and  this  only  by 
dint  of  driving  the  ship  in  such  a  manner  that  the  rudder-irons 
broke.  This  taking  place,  and  the  winter  having  set  in,  and  as  we 
were  unable  to  make  farther  progress  in  the  ship,  in  accordance 
with  the  request  of  all  hands  I  sailed  for  the  port  of  the  isles  of 
Mazatlan,  steering  by  means  of  the  sheets  of  the  sails,  God  in  pity 
conducting  us. 

From  what  I  have  come  to  know  during  the  expedition,  for  the 
discharge  of  my  conscience  and  in  pursuance  of  my  duty  as  a 
christian  and  a  loyal  vassal,  I  report  as  follows  : 

First :  It  seems  advisable  to  me  that  the  work  be  continued  and 
that  this  exploration  be  undertaken  anew,  for  man  reasons.  Of 
these  the  principal  is  the  great  service  which  will  be  rendered  unto 
God  our  Lord  by  the  conversion  of  so  many  souls  as  there  are  in 
that  land,  of  those  who  so  willingly  gave  proofs  of  a  desire  to 
receive  the  holy  gospel  ;  and  I  trust  in  God  that  will  be  effected 
very  easil)'. 

I  note  also  that  the  land  is  of  twice  the  extent  of  this  New  Spain, 
aiid  is  preferable  for  its  altitude  and  situation  ;  because,  commen- 
cing at  Cape  San  Lxicas,  which  is  in  latitude  twenty-one,  and  going 
towards  the  northwest,  there  are  more  than  a  thousand  leagues  of 
mainland  ;  and  this  I  have  seen.* 

So  also  I  note  that  as  to  pearls  they  are  abundant  and  of  excel- 
lent quality  ;  for  at  •':"  places  I  visited  all  were  eaters  of  the  oyster. 
And,  when  the  ship  San  Francisco  was  aground,  a  sailor  entering 
the  water  brought  up  some  oysters  and  in  one  of  them  were  found 
''tresegos  de  also/ar"  [^sicY  and  the  Indians  by  signs  told  me  that, 
letting  the  winter  pass  so  that  the  .sea  should  be  smooth,  they 
would  enter  the  water  and  bring  out  a  great  quantity.     As  a  token 

4.  ThtH  Id  a  vory  wild  Hfulcinetit  on  tliu  part  of  Vizcaino.  His  (listHiici's  htp  Riven  very 
iDttKcurati'lj',  iiud,  by  his  own  sIiowIiik,  lie  explored  but  eiKliI  ue^reeB  of  Istituile  Hlong  a 
ooaKt  treniliiiK  to  the  norfhwiinl  of  north  west. 

1).  In  fhi«  plaee  there  in  no  reason  to  RHppoHc  that  the  original  ilncunient  hnx  not  been 
fOrreetly  copied,  but  "trteegoi  de  lUsofar"  is  untranslatable.  Ahojar  is  n  Spanish  (vord.now 
ont  of  use,  meaning  the  rtsme  thiDK  aH /nfon— which  In  bram.  There  is  no  such  word  hb 
Irescnoif,  nor  any  puesafllilo  combination  of  miRWritten  wonts  which  miijlif  ro  to  mtke  atich 
»  Word. 


48 


Historical  Society  oj  Southern  California. 


that  this  is  the  truth  I  send  two  of  the  pearls  the  Indians  gave  to 
me,  that  Your  Majesty  may  see  them. 

I  note,  further,  that  in  the  sea  there  is  a  greater  quantity  of  fish 
of  all  kinds  than  there  is  any  other  discovered  sea. 

I  note,  also,  that  in  those  waters  there  is  a  great  number  of  salt 
deposits,  so  abundantly  supplied  by  nature  that  a  thousand  fleets 
can  be  laden.  Of  this  it  is  not  pcssible  to  have  any  doubt,  for  I 
have  seen  them. 

I  note,  further,  that,  from  the  statement  I  had  from  the  Indians, 
made  by  signs,  in  the  interior  of  the  land,  at  a  distance  of  twenty 
days'  journey  towards  the  northwest,  there  are  towns  of  people 
wearing  clothes  and  who  have  golden  ornaments  in  the  ears  and 
iiose,  and  they  have  silver,  many  cloaks  of  cotton,  maize  and  pro- 
visions, and  fowls  of  the  country  and  of  Castile  ;"  and,  taking  some 
oats  in  their  hands,  they  threw  them  into  the  air — thus  giving  it 
to  be  understood  that  even  as  the  oats  were  in  quantity  so  were  the 
people  of  those  parts.  This  the  Indians  told  me,  not  only  at  one 
place  but  in  many.  And,  although  it  \vas  my  wish  to  go  on  farther, 
for  the  reasons  set  forth  I  could  not  do  so.' 

And  should  it  please  Your  Majesty  that  the  expedition  be  under- 
taken, now  that  the  season  for  navigation  be  understood  and  what 
it  is  necessary  to  take  known,  it  will  be  done  in  a  proper  manner, 
and  God  our  Lord  will  be  served  as  well  as  Your  Majesty,  and 
your  royal  dominion  increa.sed.  And,  in  view  of  the  fact  that 
after  the  late  expedition  I  have  remained  deprived  of  means  to 
utidertake  it  at  my  own  cost  just  now,  I  will  risk  my  person  and 
the  little  that  remains  to  me  in  your  royal  service,  as  a  good  and 
well-intentioned  vassal  should  do  for  his  lord,  I  being  aided  to  do 
so  and  receiving  boons  for  myself  and  for  those  who  may  return 
with  me  ^r-  take  part  in  the  expedition.  I  ask  for  this  on  the  show- 
ing ct  this  repott  and  will  ask  for  it  as  a  servant,  Your  Majesty 
shoiving  us  favor  as  our  king  and  lord. 

That  which  I.  Sebastian  Vizcaino,  ask  of  Your  Royal  Majesty 
as  well  in  the  way  of  aid  for  the  cost  thereof  as  in  the  matter  ol 
boons,  so  that  the  expedition  result  in  tht.  achievement  of  the  end 
sought,  is  this  : 


Fir.st:  There  shall  be 


^ivcn  to  me  from  the  royal  treasury,  in  aid 

6.  Fowls  of  the  country  were  turkios;  fowls  of  CHstilc,  chickens.  The  Callforniaa 
Indians  had  iieitlier  turkl<'s  nor  cliickfiis. 

7.  Suliseiineiit  aisrovi'rii;.'^  show  tliiit  Vizitilno  did  not  fully  (indorstand  ihe  siKn-lan- 
Kuii«e  In  use  iiinonir  the  IndiHiis  of  the  penlnstilH,  or— mid  thin  whn  prolmbly  the  CHse— lit 
like  most  of  the  explfrers  of  his  tiini',  allowed  the  information  he  obtalued  to  ho  fashloneii 
in  the  reportinjr  l>y  his  wishes  as  to  the  eHecl  to  he  produced  on  the  Kind's  mind.  It  w8( 
Vizcaino's  lAudatile  ainliition  to  ureviiil  on  tlie  m  narch  to  conseut  to  his  mnkini;  another 
exploration. 


of  the  cos 

things  ne< 

dollars  in 

those  of  S( 

your  nam 

expeditioi 

Item:  I 

fifty  quint 

Item:  I 

Item:  I 

Item:  1 

Item:  1 

Twenty 

Twenty 

Twenty 

Forty  e 

Four  th 

smaller  si 

Item:  I 

All  of  t 

tions. 

First:  1 
my  possei 
who  may 
with  the 
made  upc 
to  be  serv 

Item: 
money  at 
value  of 
Acapulcc 
value  of 
may  gi 
that,  if  b 
shall  be 
other  poi 
given  to 
mischanc 
for  anytl 
Beside 
shall  go 
First: 


gave  to 

ty  of  fish 

er  of  salt 
Liid  fleets 
ibt,  for  I 

Indians, 
of  twenty 
of  people 
ears  and 
and  pro- 
king  some 
giving  it 

0  were  the 
ly  at  one 
on  farther, 

1  be  under- 
and  what 

r  manner, 
jesty,  and 
,e  fact  that 

means  to 
erson   and 

good  and 
ided  to  do 
lay  return 
1  the  show- 
r    Majesty 

1   Majesty. 

matter  ot 

)f  the  eiu! 

ur}%  in  aid 
le  Callfornm:! 

I  vlie  siKn-lan- 
the  ease— ht 
)  1)0  fasliioiieil 
iiinil.  It  w8' 
liking  anotlier 


Documents  Jrom  the  Sutro  Collection. 


49 


of  the  cost  of  provisions  and  ships,  pay  of  the  people,  and  other 
things  necessary  in  fitting  out,  the  sum  of  thirty-five  thousand 
dollars  in  moKey.  This  is  not  to  be  placed  in  my  hands,  but  in 
those  of  some  person  named  by  Your  Majesty,  or  by  the  Viceroy  in 
your  name,  that  he  may  purchase  the  things  necessary  for  the 
expedition. 

Item:  I  am  to  be  given,  at  the  said  port,  from  the  royal  stores, 
fifty  quintals  of  apparel  and  the  like,  of  the  lesser  sort,  for  repairs. 

Item :  I  am  to  be  given  eighty  arrobas  of  powder. 

Item:  Fifty  quintals  of  pitch. 

Item:  Thirty  quintals  of  tow. 

Item:  Thirty  quintals  of  spikes  and  nails  of  all  sorts. 

Twenty-five  quintals  of  lead. 

Twenty  quintals  of  slow-match  for  arquebuses. 

Twenty  bolts  of  canvas. 

Forty  empty  pipes,  in  one-quarter  size,  for  water. 

Four  thousand  round-headed  spikes  and  twenty  thousand  of  a 
.smaller  size. 

Item:  I  am  to  be  given  six  spare  cables  for  said  ships. 

All  of  this  is  to  be  given  to  me  subject  to  the  following  condi- 
tions. 

First:  None  of  the  above  mentioned  articles  are  to  be  given  into 
my  possession,  but  are  to  be  given  in  charge  to  the  store-keeper 
who  may  be  appointed  by  the  Viceroy,  in  order  that  he  may  buy 
with  the  money  what  is  necessary,  in  conformity  with  requisitions 
made  upon  him,  and  that  he  keep  all  other  things  in  his  possession, 
to  be  served  out  during  the  expedition,  as  thej'  may  be  needed. 

Item:  It  is  declared  that  the  total  to  which  all  shall  amount,  the 
money  and  the  outfitting  and  despatch  of  the  ships,  as  well  as  the 
value  of  the  other  things  I  ask  for,  is  to  be  appraised  at  the  port  of 
Acapulco,  and  I  will  give  an  undertaking  in  writing  to  return  the 
value  of  the  same  to  His  Majesty  from  the  first  gain  which  God 
maygi.e  to  me  during  the  expedition,  subject  to  a  stipulation 
that,  if  by  any  mischance  the  end  sought  be  not  gained,  the  loss 
shall  be  His  Majesty's,  and  that  on  the  return  to  Acapulco,  or  any 
other  port  of  New  Spain,  what  may  remain  of  that  which  may  be 
given  to  me  shall  be  returned  to  His  Majesty — so  that,  in  case  of 
mischance,  the  said  Sebastian  Vizcaino  shall  not  be  obliged  to  pay 
for  atiything. 

Besides  this.  Your  Majesty  is  to  grant  to  me  and  to  those  who 
shall  go  on  the  uaid  expedition  the  following  boons: 

First:  In   order   to   encourage   said  persons,  it  shall    be    con- 


50 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


ceded  to  them  that,  the  sea-ports,  capitals  of  departments  and  cities 
being  brought  into  subjection  to  the  royal  crown,  the  other  districts 
are  to  be  given  to  said  persons  in  encomienda,  in  t'be  same  way 
that  other  districts  in  the  Indies  are  given,  and  this  lor  five  lives; 
and  concerning  this  a  special  cedula  shall  be  sent." 

Item:  It  is  to  be  granted  to  said  persons,  in  order  to  encourage 
them  more  to  go  to  serve  Your  Majesty,  spending  of  their  means 
and  risking  their  persons,  as  an  honor  to  themselves  and  their 
descendants,  that  they  be  made  gentlemen,  and  that  this  privilege 
they  shall  enjoy  both  in  the  lands  in  which  they  may  settle  and  in 
other  provinces  of  the  Indies  and  in  Spain — this  boon  to  be  accom- 
panied by  a  copy  of  the  decree  given  for  this  purpose  and  a  certifi- 
cate that  the  person  so  favored  took  part  in  the  said  expedition  and 
remained  in  such  service  for  two  years  and  settled  in  the  land,  and 
that  the  holy  gospel  was  received  in  such  provinces  and  that  this 
said  person  aided  to  bring  this  about.  Such  person  shall  be  given 
the  customary  patent  of  nobility  and  the  same  shall  have  effect  in 
all  of  said  countries,  and  he  shall  enjoy  the  favors,  exemptions  and 
liberties  that  other  gentlemen  enjoy  according  to  the  laws  of  privi- 
lege of  Castile  and  Leon.* 

Item:  A  decree  shall  be  given  to  the  effect  that  for  thirty  years 
there  are  to  be  paid  no  excise  duties  nor  customs  duties  on  what 
shall  be  taken  on  the  expedition  or  sent  for  afterwards  by  such 
persons  for  their  sustenance  and  the  honoring  of  their  persons;  but, 
if  such  things  be  for  purposes  of  gain,  then  duties  shall  be  paid  as 
is  customary  in  New  Spain."* 

Also;  a  decree  shall  be  given  to  the  effect  that  no  judicial  officer 
of  this  realm  shall  intervene  in  or  take  cognizance  of  a  cause 
arising  out  of  matters  connected  with  said  expedition,  or  in  which 

.  8.  A  cedula  wag  a  <k'crec  signed  by  the  king,  with  th-:  'ormal  "  Yo  el  reij  "  (1  the  King) 
uiied  In  (nifh  ^ases  by  SpunlRh  monarRbs.  All  o(  the  deere«g  referred  to  In  this  docnment 
were  o^rfiifrts— the  word  decree  t>*'iu(?  lined  in  trauHlation.  The  system  of  encomlcadcu,  which 
was  Introdnced  Into  HispiinlolA  aN  far  back  as  the  ttm«  when  Columbus  hlnieelf  governed 
that  ifilauii,  was  a  trauRiilautini;  of  the  feudal  syRtem  to  AmericH.  The  Indians  simply  be- 
<^ame  VA!>"alf!  of  .Spunigh  lordH.  As  a  rulr,  tntomiendas  were  jfiven  for  three  lives  only  ;  and 
in  this  cHRe  the  document  has  been  annotatPd  in  the  miirttin,  undoibtedly  in  the  India 
Council,  in  accordance  with  the  rules— "e9(4  concedida  e^tix  mercedpor  tre.'i  wfas"— this  boon 
JB  granted  for  three  lives. 

9.  This  patent  ftave  the  person  so  favored  the  riRlit  to  entitle  himself  "Don".  In  some 
cases  the  riKht  to  her.ildic  arms  acc.ji.-:i)anied  the  privilege.  At  n  period  later  than  Vizcai- 
no's day  the  title  caiiie  to  mean  ii.ithing'  to-day  the  word  signifies  as  little  as  our  e»^tre 
writt+'U  atter  H  miin'N  UHine.  In  ;'pnni<iii  America  the  custom  died  hard;  and,  here  In  Cal- 
ifornia, for  instsiice,  many  pcrso'is  who  hurt  .lo  soit  of  claim  to  the  title,  made  a  point  of 
InsistiuK  ou  beiin;  called  i>r/ii.  The  word  fiieio  his  been  rendered  by  law  o/  privilepe. 
There  were  ail  sorts  of  urivileKcs,  nossei'sed  by  cIMts  and  provinces,  as  well  as  "by  indivi- 
dtiBls,  diifscs  and  calliriKs — from  the  neccsnity  for  t  le  kiuR's  obtaiuiuK  permission  to  raise 
recruits  for  the  army  (as  was  the  case  in  the  Hiscay  lu  provinces)  to  the  right  of  a  graiide  to 
wear  nis  hat  in  the  royal  presence,  the  privile?!' of  a  soldier  to  be  tried  by  soldiers,  a  cler- 
l^yman  by  au  nceiesiasticul  court.aud  so  forth.  T>'1r  r.cmand  was  also  ai'  otated  in  the  India 
(Uinncil— "edfa  couceilida  e»ta  mereed  en  lodax  /->  //»i<t.u«"— tiiis  prlvileK>  iranted  tlirouf^h- 
unt  all  Indies 

10     Also  annotated  iu  theln.lia Council— 'ysta  "oncfdWtj  por  fftuiii.  f  is  couceedeO 

ill  the  aereemcnl. 


a  person  ta 
to  whom,  a 
Also;  a  c 
expedition 
among  the 
requisite  at 
portation  t( 
carrying  g( 
Indies. 

And  the! 
and  grante 
First:  I 
calibre  as  : 
Item:  I 
sailors — ar 
Item:  I 
men,  and  ' 
Item:  I 
hundred 
bacon,  oil 
a  greater ( 
Item:  I 
miners  to 
Item:  I 
may  condi 
Item:  I 
Item:  I 
dollars,  tc 
are  fond— 
the  holy  j 
T*  m:  1 
ports  whe 
this  New 
is  custom 
Besides 
gold,  sih 
substance 
perpetuit 

Item : 
cleaned  a 

11.    The 
uot  have  pr 


5  and  cities 
er  districts 
same  way 
live  lives ; 

encourage 

eir  means 

and   their 

privilege 

:tle  and  in 

be  accom- 

d  a  certifi- 

dition  and 

land,  and 

i  that  this 

1  be  given 

!  effect  in 

ptions  and 

s  of  privi- 

irty  years 
on  what 
J  by  such 
sons;  but, 
>e  paid  as 

:ial  officer 
f  a  cause 
in  which 

(I  tbe  King) 
is  documeat 
eudaty  which 
self  (governed 
IS  simply  be- 
es only  ;  and 
u  the  India 
i"— this  boon 

i".  In  some 
than  VIzoal- 
9  our  etquire. 
bere  In  Cal- 
0  a  point  of 
of  privilepe. 
R  by  indivi- 
;slon  to  raise 
'{  a  ffrantle  to 
Ifers.  a  Pler- 
in  the  India 
ed  t^roiigh- 

tfi  couceeiled 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


5' 


a  person  taking  part  therein  is  interested,  except  it  be  the  Viceroy, 
to  whom,  as  captain-general,  they  are  always  subject. 

Also;  a  decree  shall  be  given  to  the  effect  that  provisions  for  this 
expedition  shall  be  taken  at  the  prices  at  which  they  are  sold 
among  the  natives  of  this  New  Spain,  as  well  what  is  at  present 
requisite  as  what  may  be  sent  for  afterwards  ;  and  that,  for  trans- 
portation to  the  ports,  the  same  rates  shall  be  paid  as  are  paid  for 
carrying  goods  to  Acapulco  for  the  dispatch  of  ships  for  the  East 
Indies. 

And  these  privileges  and  aid  in  the  matter  of  cost  being  given 
and  granted,  I  offer  to  take  on  said  expedition  the  following: 

First:  I  will  take  five  ships,  with  such  artillen,-  of  the  proper 
calibre  as  may  be  necessary. 

Item:  I  will  take  one  hundred  and  fifty  men — soldiers  and 
sailors — and  among  them  divers,  carpenters  and  other  mechanics. 

Item:  I  will  take  sufficient  arms  for  these  one  hundred  and  fifty 
men,  and  the  ammunition  which  may  be  necessar>-. 

Item:  I  will  take  provisions  sufficient  for  one  year  for  these  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men — and,  in  the  way  of  biscuit,  maize,  flour., 
bacon,  oil,  vinegar,  beans,  neas,  dried  meat,  and  other  like  thing? , 
a  greater  quantity  than  it  is  customary  to  take  on  such  expeditions. 

Item:  I  will  take  rakes  for  the  pearl  fishery  and  fishing-nets, 
miners  to  search  for  mines  and  an  apparatus  for  reducing  ores. 

Item:  I  will  take  vestments  and  the  like  for  the  clergy,  that  they 
may  conduct  divine  worship. 

Item:  I  will  take  four  pipes  of  wine  for  the  mass  and  sick  friars. 

Item:  I  will  take,  to  be  given  to  the  Indians,  two  thousand 
dollars,  to  be  invested  in  clothing  and  the  trifles  of  which  they 
are  fond — for  th-^  purpose  of  attracting  them  peaceably  to  receive 
the  holy  gospel. 

T*  m:  At  my  own  cost  and  charges  I  will  take  the  people  to  the 
ports  where  they  are  to  embark,  without  oppressing  the  natives  of 
this  New  Spain  but,  paying  for  what  these  may  furnish  that  which 
is  customary  among  them. 

Besides  this,  I  will  pay  to  Your  Majesty  the  fifth  part  of  all  the 
gold,  silver,  pearls,  precious  stones  and  other  valuable  mineral 
substances  which  may  be  obtained  on  said  expedition,  and  this  in 
perpetuity." 

Item:  I  will  pay  the  tenth  part  of  the  fish  that  may  be  taken, 
cleaned  and  in  barrels  as  the  rest  shall  be  sent,  and  I  will  deliver 

11.  The  payment  of  a  fifth  part  to  the  crown  was  always  obltzatory,  dad  Vlzoalno  deed 
not  have  prumiscd  ;  that  be  knew  this  his  coneludinR  words  indicate. 


52 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


'i 


them,  at  my  cost,  at  the  port  of  Acapuleo,  to  the  officers  of   your 
royal  treasury. 

Item :  I  will  pay  the  twentieth  part  of  all  the  salt  obtained  dur 
ing  said  expedition,  and  I  will  send  it  to  the  ports  of  New  Spain : 
this  I  will  do  at  my  own  cost  without  putting  Your  Majesty  to  any 
expense. 

So,  also,  I  will  undertake  to  make  the  discovery  of  the  whole 
bight  and  gulf  of  Californias;  and  of  all  I  will  take  possession  for 
Your  Majesty,  turning  over  to  the  royal  crown  sea-ports,  heads  o! 
departments  and  cities — all  this  in  the  most  quiet  way  and  without 
working  any  wrong  to  the  natives,  but  by  kind  means  and  gifts 
attracting  them  to  the  ser\nce  of  God  and  Your  Majesty. 

Item:  I  will  make  settlements  in  the  most  proper  places  I  may 
find  in  said  land;  I  will  build  forts,  and  I  will  explore  to  a  distance 
of  one  hundred  leagues  toward  the  interior;  and  in  all  I  will  do 
the  best  I  can,  and  what  I  should  do  as  a  loyal  vassal  of  Your 
Majesty.'- 

Sebastian  Vizcaino. 


Document  No.  ii. 


/^  APITULO  de  una  carta  a  S.  M.  del  Vireyde  Nueva  Espaiia  el 
^-^  Conde  de  Monte- Rey,  fecha  en  Megico  a  28  de  Julio  de  1597, 
dando  cuenta  de  la  razon  porque  no  se  uso  de  la  cedula  para  quitar 
los  titulos  y  despachos  que  se  dieron  d  Sebastian  Vizcaino  sobre  el 
descubrimiento  de  las  Californias. 

Entre  estos  despachos  que  tuve  con  los  galeones  rescibi  cedula  de 
vuestra  magestad  en  que  fue  servido  mandarme  que  impida  la  Jor- 
nada de  las  Californias  y  quite  los  titulos  y  despachos  que  tenia 

12.  This  letter  must  have  been  written  early  In  1.507,  shortly  after  Vizcaino's  return  from 
his  voyage.  It  is  a  very  important  and  interesting  document.  As  the  report  of  the  com- 
mander of  the  expedition  it  must  be  taken  as  the  most  Hcouratc  and  best  account  of  the 
occurrences  of  the  voyage.  The  document  is  of  value  because  we  are  enabled  to  judge  of 
the  character  and  aims  of  explorers  of  that  day;  we  learn  something  of  their  treatment  of 
the  Indians;  and  we  can  form  an  excellent  idea  of  the  outfit  the  explorers  of  the  sixteenth 
<^entnry  took  with  them,  in  all  essential  details,  as  well  as  of  the  rewards  they  claimed  and 
received.  The  account  of  tliis  voyage  given  in  the  Baueroftian  series  of  historical  works 
will  be  found  chiefly  at  pp.  148-50  of  vol.  X  of  the  Itistory  of  the  Pacific  States.  It  will  be 
interesting  for  the  curious  to  compare  this  account  with  the  offlcial  report  of  the  comman- 
der of  the  expedition,  now  before  us.  The  Bhucroftian  author  cites  authorities  only  at 
second  and  third-hand.  He  even  gives  our  Californian  Taylor— whom  elsewhere,  In  a 
bibliographical  note,  he  beri'tes  roundly— as  authority  for  Vizcaino's  return  to  Acapuleo  in 
October!  He  does  not  mention  the  names  of  the  ships,  and  knows  nothing  about  Vizcai- 
no's proposition  to  the  King.  Krrors  which  occur  in  the  liaucroftian  account  are  corrected 
in  this  report. 


para  ella  d 
Virrey  Don 
dicho  Sebas 
aviso  d  vues 
horden  pare 
tracion  que 
gastado  haz 
dido  con  rrn 
subceso  sini 
mandarme  1 


Paragrap 
Spain,  the 
giving  an  a 
taking  from 
to  him  for  t 

Among  i'. 
received  a  ( 
Older  me  to 
to  the  Calif 
concerning 
been  given 
since  the  S£ 
which  fact. 
Majesty, 
delayed,  it 
away  hiscc 
at  expense 
and  as  he  1 
for,  althoui 
Majesty  be 
the  matter, 


rs  of  your 

ained  dur- 
iw  Spain; 
isty  to  any 

the   whole 

ession  for 

,  heads  oi 

id  without 

and   gifts 

:es  I  may 
a  distance 
I  will  do 

il  of  Your 

ZCAINO. 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


53 


Espaiia  el 

de  1597. 
ara  quitar 
D  sobre  el 


cedilla  de 
ia  la  jor- 
[ue  tenia 

i  return  from 
of  the  cora- 
ouut  of  the 

to  judge  of 
reatraeat  of 
he  sixteenth 
claimed  and 
rloal  works 

It  win  be 
le  comroan- 
ties  only  at 
where,  in  a 
Acapulooin 
bout  Vizcai- 
ro  corrected 


para  ella  d  Sebastian  Vizcayno  d  quien  esto  estaba  cometido  por  el 
Virrey  Don  luis  de  Velazco,  dias  d  que  volvio  de  la  Jornada  el 
dicho  Sebastian  Vizcayno  como  dello  y  del  subceso  que  tuvo  e  dado 
aviso  d  vuestra  magestad  y  asi  por  haverse  retardado  tanto  esta 
horden  paresce  que  no  es  a  razon  hazer  con  Vizcayno  la  denios- 
tracion  que  se  va  quitarle  los  despachos  niayormente  haviendo  61 
gastado  hazienda  en  la  Jornada  y  ydo  ya  y  buelto  de  ella  y  proce- 
dido  con  mas  cordura  y  ser  que  se  podia  esperar  del  aunque  con 
subceso  siniestro  y  desacreditado,  vuestra  magestad  serd  servido 
mandarme  lo  que  en  esto  e  de  hazer. 


TRANSLATION. 


Paragraph  of  a  letter  to  His  Majesty  from  the  Viceroy  of  New 
Spain,  the  Conde  de  Monterey,  dated  at  Mexico,  28th  July,  1597, 
giving  an  account  of  the  reason  why  no  use  was  made  of  the  decree 
taking  from  Sebastian  Vizcaino  the  commission  and  orders  given 
to  him  for  the  voyage  of  discovery  to  the  Californias. 

Among  these  dispatches  which  came  to  me  in  the  galleons,  I 
received  a  decree  of  Your  Majesty,  in  which  you  were  pleased  to 
Older  me  to  suspend,  proceedings  in  connection  with  the  expedition 
to  the  Californias,  and  to  take  away  the  commission  and  orders 
concerning  the  same  from  Sebastian  Vizcaino,  to  whom  they  had 
been  given  by  the  Viceroy,  Don  Luis  de  Velasco.  It  is  some  time 
since  the  said  Sebastian  Vizcaino  returned  from  the  expedition,  of 
which  fact,  as  well  as  of  what  he  accomplished,  I  advised  Your 
Majesty.  And,  therefore,  inasmuch  as  this  order  has  been  so 
delayed,  it  does  not  seem  reasonable  to  make  an  attempt  to  take 
away  his  commission  from  Vizcaino;  the  more  so  since  he  has  been 
at  expense  in  the  expedition  and  has  gone  and  returned  already  ; 
and  as  he  has  acted  with  all  the  skill  and  judgment  to  be  looked 
for,  although  with  poor  success  and  loss  of  reputation.  May  Your 
Majesty  be  pleased  to  give  me  orders  regarding  what  I  am  to  do  in 
the  matter. 


*» 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


Document  No.  12. 

/^APITULOS  de  carta  d  S.  M.  del  Virey  de  Nueva  Espana  de 
^^  26  de  Noviembre  de  1597  en  que  hace  relacion  del  discurso  y 
tstado  tocante  al  descubrimiento  de  las  Californias  y  de  algunas 
particularidades  que  de  nuevo  se  ban  entendido. 

Porque  vuestra  magestad  me  nianda  er.  las  cartas  que   rescebi 
este  ano,  que  de  relacion  del  subceso  que  tuvo  el  viaje  de  las  Cal- 
ifornias y  porque  pueda  venir  en  la  flota  horden  de  lo  que  cerca  de 
este  negocio  se  deva  hazer  de  nuevo  serd  necesario  decir  en  partic- 
ular el  estado  que  tiene  y  las  dubdas  que  se  ofrecen  en  este  negocio. 
Kn  el  segundo  aviso  que  partio  por  marzo  y  en  el  despacho  general 
di  quenta  a  vuestra  magestad  del  subceso  que  tuvo   la  Jornada  y 
seiialadamente  de  la  esperien  :ia  que  havia  dado  Sebastian  Vizcaino 
de  que  junto  de  ser  platico  en  esta  mar  del  sur  y  hombre  sosegado 
y  de  muy  sano  pecho  y  yntencion,  tenia  algun  mediano  y  vastante 
caudal  en  lo  que  j'o  no  esperava  del  ningnno  ques  en  la  capacidad 
para  regir  su  gente  y  brio  para  hazerse  respetar  della,  cossa  que 
rraras  veces  se  halla  faltando  autoridad  en  el  sugeto.    Dixe  por  esto 
a  vuestra  magestad  en  el  capitulo  de  la  carta  que  escrivi  este  ano 
sobre  materias  de  guerra,  que  por  este  concepto  que  forme   por  la 
esperiencia  de  lo  pasado  contra  el  que  antes  havia  hecho  por  dis- 
cursso  y  por  ser  acabada  la  ocasion  con  su  buelta  no  usava  de  la 
cedula  en  que  vuestra  magestad  vistas  mis  cartas  me  envi6  d  man- 
dar  que  quitase  los  despachos  d  este  hombre  ;  despues  con  motive 
que  di6  para  ello  el  haver  otros   que   hablasen   en   hacer   asiento 
escluyendo  yo  del  todo  d  Vizcaj'no,  comunique  el  acuerdo  de  esta 
real  audiencia  el  estado  del  negocio  y  presente  el  fiscal  que  tambien 
vi6  en  su  casa  los  papeles,  y  haviendolo  conferido  todo  parescio 
■que  aunque  este  descubrimiento  no  se  temiera  de  ynutil  como  he 
escripto  a  vuestra  magestad  otras  veces,  yo  no  podria  ejecutarle  por 
medio  de  Vizcayno  ni  de  otra  persona  sin  horden  de  vuestra  mages- 
tad y  aprovacion  que  fuese  servido  hazer  del  asiento  como  tampoco 
dicen  propuso  el  Virrey  Don  Luis  de  Velazco  dar  patentes  y  rreca- 
dos  d  Vizcaino  para  la  ejecucion  de  lo  pasado  sin  enviar  primero  a 
vuestra  magestad  el  asiento  y  tomar  orden  suya  porque  ansi  esti 
dispuesto  en  un  capitulo  de  las  hordenanzas  de  nuevos  descubri- 
mientos  ques  en  el  principio.     Paresci6  ansi  mismo  que  aun  capit- 


ular ni  hac« 

que  con  Vix 

para  quitarl 

magestad  d 

capacidad 

acion  del  a; 

de  que  no  e 

havia  de  p( 

sin  embarg( 

quitar  los  d 

cipio  como 

grande  que 

pasada,  de 

yncapacida' 

respetar  en 

que  a  hech( 

suspendiest 

mado,  vistc 

vuestra  ma; 

pasada  solo 

encaminadj 

por  desconf 

audiencia  y 

dubda  en  q 

todos  paresi 

proseguir  y 

ahora  se  co 

viaje  no  rrc 

de  Vizcaini 

un  Hicrcade 

sino  ignora 

desa,  umbra 

la  gente  y 

Vizcaino  pi 

con  esta  ca 

encarece  m 

lo  que  al  p 

fica  grande 

que  concue 

Esto  pre 

este  descul 

ello  y  de  si 


spana  de 
discurso  y 
le  algunas 


ue  rescebi 
le  las  Cal- 
le  cerca  de 
■  en  partic- 
le negocio. 
:ho  general 

Jornada  y 
n  Vizcaino 
e  sosegado 
y  vastante 

capacidad 

cossa  que 
ixe  por  esto 
i^i  este  atio 
me  por  la 
10  por  dis- 
Java  de  la 
^16  d  man- 
ion  motive 
;er  asiento 
rdo  de  esta 
ue  tambien 

0  parescio 

1  como  he 
cutarle  por 
stra  mages- 
lo  tampoco 
:e.s  y  rreca- 

primero  a 
ansi  est^ 
descubn- 

aun  capit- 


Docunicnti/fom  the  Sutro  Collection. 


55 


ular  ni  hacer  asiento  para  enviarle  al  consejo  no  se  podria  aora  por- 
que  con  Vizcaino  no  era  razon  aviendo  cedula  de  vuestra  magestad 
para  quitarle  los  despachos  pasados  sin  haver  ynfortnado  d  vuestra 
magestad  de  lo  que  de  nuevo  se  a  entendido  quanto  a  la  mediana 
capacidad  del  subjeto  y  con  otro  no  se  podia  contratar  en  derog- 
acion  del  asiento  primero  de  Vizcaino  por  la  pretension  quel  tiene 
de  que  no  es  acabado  el  tiempo  y  fuerga  del  5-  porque  luego  lo 
havia  de  poner  en  justicia  en  la  audiencia  donde  avia  de  ser  oydo 
sin  embargo  de  la  cedula  de  vuestra  magestad  en  que  se  le  mandan 
quitar  los  despachos  respecto  de  no  estar  ya  el  negocio  en  el  prin- 
cipio  como  alia  se  figuraba  sino  metidas  muchas  prendas  del  gasto 
grande  que  Vizcaino  y  sus  companeros  hicieron  en  la  Jornada 
pasada,  de  mas  de  que  fundandose  la  cedula  en  mi  relacion  de  la 
yncapacidad  y  dignidad  del  subjeto  para  el  govierno  y  para  hazerse 
respetar  en  el,  pudiera  alegar  y  ofrecerse  a  provar  las  espericncias 
que  a  hecho  en  contrario  para  que  el  cumplimiento  de  la  cedula  se 
suspendiese  hasta  que  vuestra  magestad  fuese  nue\amente  ynfor- 
mado,  visto  todo  esto  he  tenido  por  lo  mas  acertado  consultar  a 
vuestra  magestad  este  negocio  en  el  estado  que  tiene.  La  vez 
pasada  solo  di  relacion  a  vuestra  magestad  de  como  avia  hallado 
encaminada  por  el  virrey  la  ejecucion  de  aquella  Jornada  y  que 
por  desconfian^a  que  yo  tenia  del  subjeto  avia  comunicado  con  la 
audiencia  y  con  algun  theologo  de  los  de  mas  opinion  de  aqui  la 
dubda  en  que  estava  de  impedirle  al  Vizcaino  su  viaje  y  que  a 
todos  parescio  contra  justicia  y  conciencia  y  que  por  esto  lo  dexe 
proseguir  y  quedava  con  mucho  cuidado  del  subceso,  y  lo  que 
ahora  se  consulta  d  vuestra  magestad  es  que  el  subceso  ynfeliz  del 
viaje  no  rresulta  por  las  rrelaciones  aber  nascido  de  yncapacidad 
de  Vizcaino  que  antes  mostro  mediano  talento  y  brio  mas  que  de 
un  iTiercader  tan  hordinario  se  podia  esperar  en  semejante  Jornada, 
sino  ignorancia  de  aquellos  mares  y  haver  dispuesto  su  Jornada 
desa.  umbradamente  en  quanto  al  porte  de  los  navios,  multitud  de 
la  gente  y  cortedad  de  provision  en  algunos  vastimentos  y  que 
Vizcaino  pretende  bolver  conforme  d  su  usiento  de  que  envio  copia 
con  esta  carta  y  con  el  ahinco  y  deseo  que  tiene  de  proseguir 
encarece  mucho  la  largueza  y  ymportancia  de  aquella  tierra  contra 
lo  que  al  principio  escribieron  y  comunmente  se  entiende  y  signi- 
fica  grande  prosperidad  en  la  pesqueria  de  perlas,  y  en  esto  parece 
que  concuerdan  otras  relaciones. 

Esto  presupuesto  serd  vuestra  magestad  servido  de  mandar  si 
este  descubrimiento  sea  de  proseguir,  6  no,  que  para  mas  luz  en 
ello  y  de  su  pretencion  pedi  d  Sebastian  Vizcaino  el  papel  que  aqui 


1  •! 


r  'I 


56 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


va.  y  a  Don  Gabriel  Maldonado,  hijo  de  Melchior  Maldonado  vein- 
tiquatro  de  Sevilla  otra  que  tambien  envio  de  su  pretension.  Mi 
parecer  es  de  que  por  aora  no  se  intentase  entrada  en  aquella  tiem 
para  a  ver  de  pacificarlo  y  poblarla  y  que  solamente  para  tomar 
buen  tino  y  con  fundamento  de  lo  que  ella  es  y  entera  seguridad  de 
la  sustancia  de  la  pesqueria  de  perlas  y  para  mayor  luz  de  lo  que 
toca  a  la  defensa  y  seguridad  de  estos  reynos  y  naos  que  andan  en 
la  carrcra  de  la  china  se  rreconocicse  bien  la  pesqueria  y  los  pucrtos 
y  costas  de  aquella  ensenada  y  en  algunas  partes  la  tierra  de  las 
mismas  Californias  y  que  esto  fuese  con  poca  gente  en  embarca- 
cione.s  pequeiias  y  para  hacerlo  tengo  por  bastante  medio  el  de 
Vizcaino  porque  aviendolo  reconocido  ya  en  mucha  parte  y  esperi 
mentado  lo  que  ubo  de  yerro  la  vez  pasada  lo  podria  enmendar 
mas  facilniente;  pero  no  tiene  fuerzas  para  hacer  el  viaje  sin  costa 
de  vuestra  magestad  y  haviendo  de  ser  con  ella  parece  que  seria 
raejor  compralle  a  el  los  aparejos  que  tiene  aunque  el  gasto  creciese 
y  nombrar  vuestra  magestad  para  ello  d  ^1  y  d  otra  persona  que  sin 
quedar  prendada  vuestra  magestad  por  contrato  lo  hiciese  si  d  esto 
da  lugar  el  dereclio  que  este  hombre  pretende  que  le  resulta  del 
asiento  pasado  por  tiempo  de  algunos  aiios.  Aunque  dando  lugar 
d  esto  mas  aprovechado  medio  seria  cometerse  d  Don  Gabriel 
Maldonado  dando  seguridad  pues  sin  gasto  de  vuestra  magestad  se 
ofrece  a  hacerlo  y  podria  llevar  consigo  algunos  soldados  6  marin- 
eros  de  los  que  llevo  Vizcaino;  este  pide  que  sucediendo  vien  lo 
que  ahora  se  hiciese  fuese  preferida  su  persona  para  el  asiento  de 
la  pasificacion  y  entrada  de  la  tierra  tiene  calidad  y  buena  opinion, 
de  cuerdo  y  honrado  trato  y  quando  vuestra  magestad  fuese  servido 
desto  podria  en  caso  de  no  tener  fuerzas  y  caudal  bastante  de 
hacienda  Don  Gabriel,  ni  poder  curaplir  lo  que  ofrece,  venir  desde 
luego  proveido  otro  medio  que  tomase  y  en  qualquiera  que  no  aya 
de  ser  en  continuacion  del  asiento  primero  de  Vizcaino  seria  neces- 
ario  para  que  tuviese  execucion  el  intento  enviar  cedula  para  que 
la  Audiencia  a  su  pedimento  y  contradicion  no  ympidiese  la  Jor- 
nada aunque  fuese  oydo  en  via  hordinaria. 

(Al  margen  de  este  capitulo  se  encuentra  el  siguiente  acuerdo 
del  consejo.) 

Que  se  le  rresponda  que  por  lo  que  aqui  dize  y  lo  que  se  inclina 
al  cumplimiento  del  asiento  de  Sebastian  Vizcaino  y  por  la  aproba- 
cion  que  hace  de  su  capacidad  y  persona,  parece  que  conviene  que 
61  continue  la  Jornada  que  ha  comenzado  en  ejecucion  de  su  asiento 
y  que  es  lo  convenido  y  que  sea  con  la  brevedad  posible  y  que.  le 
ayude  para  ello  con  lo  que  pide  en  el  segundo  memorial  que  di6,  6 


con  lo  mei 
enbie  con  1 
y  algunas 
le  advierta 
termino  cc 
que  en  el  ^ 
yndios  qut 
dado  que  ( 
yndios  coj 
voluntad  a 
hiziere  y  r 
magestad 
sion  de  los 

Amo  pa 
materia  qv 
San  '\gus1 
f  ■  te  rtvno 
por  1  :anda 
toda  esta  c 
El  intento 
algun  pue: 
las  naos  d 
iento  pare 
luejor  sali( 
yo  tendria 
que  se  hie 
caudal  de 
magestad 
tube  y  ad\ 
incluir  en 
California 
ella  y  enc; 
el  tiempo 
dividiendc 
convenien 
ofrecerse. 

(Al  ma 
executar  1 
acapulco  i 
nias  sino  i 
prevencio: 


nado  vein 
tisioti.     Mi 
uella  tierra 
)ara   tomar 
giiridad  de 

de  lo  que 
:  andan  en 
los  pufrtos 
erra  de  las 
1  embarca- 
ledio  el  de 
te  y  esperi 

enmendar 
je  sin  costa 

que  seria 
stocreciese 
ana  que  sin 
se  si  d  ehto 
resulta  del 
ando  lugar 
on  Gabriel 
nagestad  se 
)s  6  marin 
do  vien  lo 

asiento  de 
na  opinion, 
jese  servido 
jastante  de 
venir  desde 
ijue  no  aya 
seria  neces- 
la  para  que 
iese  la  jor- 

ite    acuerdo 

;  se  inclina 
ir  la  aproba- 
onviene  que 
le  su  asiento 
le  y  que.  le 
1  que  di6,  6 


Documents  J,  ovi  the  Sutro  Coilcction. 


57 


con  lo  nienos  de  aquello  que  pudiere  concertar  y  encaniiuar  y  que 
enbie  con  el  religiosos  de  mucha  aprovacion  y  ]•  >-  mas  que  pudiese 
y  algunas  personas  cuerdas  y  de  satisfaccion  que  le  ayuden  y  que 
le  advierta  por  ser  ejeniplo  de  la  prudencia,  consideracion  y  buen 
termino  con  que  deve  proceder,  y  le  reprehenda  las  iniprudencias 
que  en  el  viaje  pasado  tuvo  y  particularmente  el  liaber  nuierlo  a  los 
yndios  que  en  su  relacion  haze  y  haber  dexado  de  castigar  al  sol- 
dad  i  que  di6  con  el  cuento  del  arcabuz  al  yndio  y  que  trate  d  los 
yndios  con  mucho  amor  y  caricia  y  regalo  para  atraerlos  de  su 
voluntad  al  evangelio  y  no  permita  se  les  haga  agravio  y  del  que 
hiziere  y  resultase  de  la  Jornada  aviese  y  del  objeto  se  consulte  a  su 
magestad  y  que  el  principal  intento  que  ha  de  Uevar  sea  la  conver- 
sion de  los  yndios. ' ' 

Amo  parecido  acordar  d  vuestra  magestad  con  proposito  de  la 
materia  que  contiene  el  capitulo  antes  deste,  la  perdida  del  navio 
San  \gustin  que  aviese  en  las  primeras  cartas  despues  (jue  vine  d 
f  ■  te  rf.vno  y  que  con  ella  ces6  el  descubrimiento  que  venia  haciendo 
por  )  .andado  de  vuestra  magestad  y  horden  del  Virrey  don  luis,  de 
toda  esta  costa  sur  que  tocan  las  naos  que  vienen  de  las  Philipinas. 
El  intento  era  ymportante  por  el  fin  que  se  llevava  en  reconocer 
algun  puerto  acomodado  que  en  caso  de  necesidad  les  pudiese  ser  a 
las  naos  de  rreparo  y  abrigo.  El  niodo  de  hacerse  el  descubrim- 
iento parecio  ^  io.''^«  los  hombres  platicos  que  se  hubiera  acertado 
luejor  saliendo  el  navio  u<.  ica  y  siguiendo  luego  la  niisiiia  costa: 
yo  tendria  por  muy  conveni.nte  que  vuestra  magestad  mandase 
(jue  se  hiciese  con  efecto  en  e'.nbarcaciones  pequefias  y  sin  hacer 
caudal  de  lo  que  traxeron  escrlpto  entonces  y  yo  en  vie  ri  vuestra 
magestad  porque  no  quede  con  satisfacion  de  las  relaciones  que 
tube  y  advierto  que  si  esto  huviese  de  mandarse  hazer  se  podia 
incluir  en  ello  reconocer  la  costa  y  puertos  de  la  ensenada  de  la 
California,  y  tambien  la  pesqueria  llevando  algunos  buzos  para 
ella  y  encargandolo  todo  d  una  misma  persona  si  en  este  mar  y  en 
el  tiempo  que  se  lia  de  hazer  pareciese  que  lo  puede  cumplir  y  sino 
dividiendo  este  cuidado  entre  dos  navichuelos  con  cabezas  y  aparejo 
conveniente  y  sendos  barcos  de  conserva  para  lo  que  puede 
ofrecerse. 

(Al  margen  se  encuentra  el  siguiente  acuerdo.)  "Que  haga 
executar  lo  del  navichue'o  que  aqui  dize  se  podria  enbiar  de 
acapuico  d  reconocer  la  costa  sin  embarazar.se  en  lo  de  las  Califor- 
nias  sino  fuere  de  passo,  y  que  esta  diligencia  se  haga  luego  con  la 
prevencion  que  conviene. "  - 


TT 


' 


58 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


TRANSLATION. 

Paragraphs  of  a  letter  to  His  Majesty  from  the  Viceroy  of  New 
Spain,'  dated  26th  November,  1597,  in  which  he  makes  a  report 
on  the  discussion  concerning  the  discover^'  of  the  Californias,  and 
its  condition,  and  of  some  particulars  which  have  recentlj'  come  t« 
light  in  relation  thereto. 

Because  Vo.  '  Majesty  orders  me,  in  the  letters  which  I  have 
received  during  the  year,  to  make  a  report  of  the  result  attending 
the  voyage  to  the  Californias,  and  as  there  may  come  by  the  fleet 
orders  touching  that  which  should  be  done  in  this  matter,  it  will 
be  necessary  to  particularize  concerning  the  condition  of  the  affair 
and  the  doubts  which  ari.se  in  connection  therewith.  By  the 
second  packet,  which  sailed  in  March,  as  well  as  in  the  general 
dispatch,  I  gave  to  Your  Majesty  an  account  of  the  result  of  the 
exptaition  and,  especially,  of  the  evidence  which  Sebastian 
Vizcaino  had  given  that,  in  addition  to  po.ssessing  a  practical 
knowledge  of  the  vSouth  »Sea  and  being  a  man  of  even  disposition, 
upright  and  of  good  intentions,  he  is  of  medium  yet  sufficient 
ability,  although  I  had  feared  it  was  otherwise,  for  governing  his 
people,  and  this  coupled  with  energy  enough  to  make  him.sell 
respected  by  them,  a  thing  rarely  accomplished  when  the  faculty 
of  making  authority  regarded  is  lacking.  It  was  on  this  account  I 
said  to  Your  Majesty,  in  that  paragraph  of  the  letter  I  wrote  this 
year  which  treats  of  matters  concerning  war,  that,  because  of  this 
opinion  which  I  was  led  to  form  from  a  knowledge  of  what  had 
occurred,  contrary  t(/  that  which  I  had  arrived  at  from  previous 
rea.soning,  and  becau.se  in  view  of  his  return  the  occasion  had 
passed,  I  have  made  no  use  of  the  decree  by  which  Your  Majesty 
after  a  consideration  of  my  letters,  ordered  me  to  take  away  his 
commi.ssion  from  this  man.  Afterwards,  being  influenced  by  the 
fact  that  others  were  talking  of  a  desire  to  make  a  contract,  and 
this  without  m>-  taking  \"izcaino  into  consideration  at  all,  I  sub- 
mitted the  matter  to  this  royal  aiaiioicin  for  a  resolution,  \.\\q fiscal: 
who  had  also  examined  the  documents  at  his  office,  being  present: 
and,  everything  in  relation  thereto  having  been  discussed,  it  was 

1.  The  ('nii.il.'  ill'  Mdiilt'ii'V. 

2.  Tlie 'I'li'iVdi  III  wii<  till' ViciTDv's  romiril  Hii'l  tite  mii'rcmc  tribunal  of  the  viccroyil 
Koverauiiiut.    TlU'  fwnl  \\»>  tin-  kiiiK's  pinciirHlor. 


concluded 
would  be  n 
occasions, 
other  perso 
the  contrac 
Viceroy  Dc 
give  orders 
without  firs 
ing  your  or 
of  the  ordii 
moreover,  t 
same  to  the 
to  do  this  si 
Your  Majei 
should  be  t 
that  which 
city  of  this 
any  one  els 
Vizcaino,  b 
time  and  th 
because  imi 
the  attdienc 
notwith.stan 
commission 
but  the  que 
companions 
it.     It  was 
on  my  rep 
lack  of    wc 
respected  it 
of  his  whic 
decree  shou 
informed. 
Vour  Majes 
my  last  con 
the  manner 
commenced 
fidence  in  t 
the  audiejici 
held  in  gre; 
itself  to  me 
to  ail  it  apf 


f 


Documents  from  the  Sutto  Collection. 


59 


IS 


concluded  that,  although  it  might  not  be  teared  this  expedition 
would  be  made  uselessly,  as  I  wrote  to  Your  Majesty  on   other 
j occasions,  I  could  not  have  it  undertaken  by  Vizcaino,   or  any 
other  person,  without  Your  Majesty's  order  and  the   approval  of 
the  contract  you  might  be  pleased  to  make;    for   it   is   said   that 
Viceroy  Don  Luis  de  Velasco  did  not  issue  the  commission   and 
give  orders  to  Vizcaino  for  the  performance  of  what  has  been  done 
without  first  having  sent  the  contract  to  Your  Majest\-  and  receiv- 
ing your  orders — as  such  is  the  routine  called  for  by  the  first  part 
of  the  ordinances  relating  to  new  discoveries.      It  was  concluded, 
moreover,  that  even  to  enter  into  an  agreement  and   submit  the 
same  to  the  Council  could  not  now  be  done,  since  it  was  not  right 
to  do  this  so  far  as  Vizcaino  is  concerned,  there  being  a  decree  of 
Your  Majesty  that  the  authorization  given   to   him    in   the   past 
should  be  taken  away,  without  first  informing  Your   Majesty   of 
that  which  has  been  learned  of  late  concerning  the  medium  capa- 
city of  this  person  ;  while  a  contract  could  tiot  be  entered  into  with 
any  one  else  in  derogation  of  the  previous  agreement  made  with 
Vizcaino,  by  reason  of  the  claim  he  makes  that,  in   the  matter  of 
time  and  the  binding  effect  of  his  contract,  it  is  operative  still,  and 
because  immediately  he  would  throw  the  n\atter  into  litigation  in 
the  atidicjicia ,  where  it  would  be  necessary  to  give  him  a  hearing 
notwithstanding  the   decree  of   Your    Majesty   taking   away    his 
commission,  the  matter  not  being  in  its  inception,  as  was  thought, 
but  the  question  of  the  great  expense  incurred  by  Vizcaino  and  his 
companions  in  the  voyage  which  was  made  now  forming  part  of 
it.     It  was  considered,  in  addition,  that,  the  decree  being  founded 
on  my  report  concerning  the  incapacity  of  that  person  and   his 
lack  of    worthiness    for    command   and  ability   to   make   himself 
respected  in  its  exercise,  he  could  allege  and  offer  to  prove  deeds 
of  his  which  show  the  contrarj-,  so  that  a  compliance  with   the 
decree  should  be  suspended  until  Your  Majesty  might  be  further 
informed.     In  view  of  all  this,  I  have  thought  it  better  to  consult 
Your  Majesty  concerning  this  matter  in  its  pre.sent  condition.      In 
my  last  communication  I  gave  Your  Majesty  an  account  only  of 
the  manner  in  which  the  execution  of  that  enterprise  had  been 
commenced  by  the  Viceroy,  and  of  how,  because  of  the  lack  of  con- 
fidence in  the  individual  which  I  entertained,  I  had  conferred  with 
sed,  it  wa*|the  audietia'a,  and  consulted  a  theologian  of  the  number  of  those 
held  in  greatest  repute  here,  concerning  the  doubt  which  suggested 
itself  to  me  in  the  matter  of  preventing  Vizcaino's  voyage,  and  that 
to  all  it  appeared  to  be  contrar>-  to  justice  and  conscience  to  do 


ly  of  New 
i  a  report 
rnias,  and 
Iv  come  to 


:h   I    have 
attending 
jy  the  fleet 
ter.  it  will 
f  the  affair 
I.     By  the 
lie   general 
suit  of  the 
Sebastian 
a   practical 
lispositioii, 
t   sufficient 
'erning  his 
e   hiniselt 
the  faculty 
account  1 
wrote  this 
Iiu.se  of  this 
what  had 
previous 
casion   had 
r  Majesty 
away   his 
ced  by  the 
•ntract,  and 
all,   I    .sub- 
,  Iheyfjra/,' 
ng  present: 


f  ihc  viciToyii 


T-^ 


60 


Hisforical  Society  0/  Somkcrn  California. 


so;'  and  for  this  reason  I  permitted  the  prosecution  of  the  enterprise, 
my  mind  being  filled  with  misgiving  touching  the  result.  What  I 
now  desire  to  lay  before  Your  Majesty  is  that,  as  appears  from  the 
reports,  the  unfortunate  ending  of  the  voyage  was  not  due  10 
incapacity  on  the  part  of  Vizcaino,  who,  on  the  contrary,  gave 
evidence  of  some  ability  and  greater  spirit  than  could  have  been 
expected  from  a  mere  trader  engaged  in  an  enterprise  of  this  kind 
but  to  his  lack  of  acquaintance  with  those  seas  and  his  having 
planned  the  expedition  mistakenly  as  to  the  burthen  of  the  ships, 
the  excessive  number  of  h"*'  crews  and  a  scantiness  in  the  matttr 
of  certain  kinds  of  stores  ;  that  Vizcaino  asserts  his  intention  0: 
going  on  another  voyage  in  conformity  with  the  provisions  of  hii 
undertaking,  a  copy  of  which  I  send  with  this  letter  ;  and  that, 
owing  to  the  earnestness  and  desire  shown  by  him  for  the  prosecu 
tion  of  the  enterprise,  he  heightens  the  extent  and  importance  0: 
that  region,  although  it  is  in  opposition  to  what  was  written  at  first 
and  is  commonly  understood  and  indicates  that  great  prosperity 
will  grow  out  of  the  i)earl  fisherj'  ;  and  this,  it  appears,  other 
reports  confirm. 

This,  of  course,  Your  Majesty  will  be  pleasf.d  to  order:  Whetlic: 
or  not  this  enterprise  be  continued.  In  order  to  throw  more  lighi 
on  this  and  on  the  claim  of  Sebastian  Vizcaino,  I  exacted  from  hin 
the  accompanying  document,  and  from  Don  Gabriel  Maldonado 
son  of  Melchior  Maldonado,  member  of  the  municipal  council  ci 
Seville,  another  concerning  his  claim,  which  ah o  I  send.  My 
opinion  is  that  for  tlie  present  no  expedition  to  that  region,  wits 
intent  to  subject  and  settle  it,  should  be  atteni])ted,  but  one  for  the 
purpose  merely  of  ascertaining  definitely  what  there  is  there,  i! 
order  that  complete  assurance  be  had  concerning  the  value  of  th 
pearl  tisliery,  and  that  greater  light  may  be  thrown  on  what  relate 
to  the  defense  anrl  security  of  these  realms  and  the  ships  whic! 
make  the  China  voyage.  The  condition  of  the  fishing-ground 
should  be  well  examined  and  the  harbors  and  coast  of  that  liltora 
and,  in  .some  places,  even  the  interior  country  of  the  California! 
should  be  thoroughly  explored,  and  this  should  be  done  with  crew 
few  in  nundK  in  vessels  of  little  burthen.  For  this  I  think  111 
this  Vi/caino  will  serve  sufficiently  well  ;  for,  having  explon 
already  a  great  part  of  that  region,  and  po.ssessing  a  knowledge  ( 
the  mistakes  of  the  last  voyage,  he  will  the  more  readily  avoi 
similar  errors.  But  he  has  not  means  to  make  the  voyage  witl 
out  aid  in  the  cost  thereof  from  Your  Majesty;  and,  this  aid  bein 

3.    Mere  mattvrt  of  the  nlrU  law  were  eubniltteil  U>Uioaiid(rn<'/a;  tlieprofesiorof  pici 
law  gave  au  opinion  In  tbove  purtalninR  tu  thevquity  tide  of  t>i<-  trihiiual. 


necessary, 
he  has,  alt 
Your  Maje 
ment  of  th 
bound  by  £ 
right  whic 
with  him  c 
taken  und< 
enterprise 
offers  to  ui 
could  take 
panied  Vis 
were  done 
ation  and 
society  an( 
able  condu 
orders  res 
Gabriel  hi 
comply  wi 
tage  could 
be  adopted 
made  with 
intention  I 
case  of  his 
expeditior 
detenninii 

(In  the 
council  a] 

"Let  hi 
is  inclinci 
Vizcaino 
appears  tc 
which  he 
firmed;  tl 
in  accord.' 
by  him,  c 
upon  and 
well  appr 
as  some  ji 
and  that 
dence  ant 


Documaits  from  the  Siitro  CoUcction. 


6i 


enterprise, 
t.     What  I 
s  from  the  I 
lot   due  10 
rary,  gave] 
have  been! 
this  kind, 
lis  having  I 
the  ships, 
the  matterl 
ntention  o: 
ions  of  hiil 
and  that, 
he  prosecu- 
portance  oil 
itten  at  firsij 
;  prosperity! 
)ears,    othi-rl 

;r:  Whetherl 

more  lighi| 
:ed  from  him 
Maklonado. 
1  coui'.cil  c;| 

send.  My 
'cgiun,  wit! 
t  one  for  tl; 

is  there,  13 
^.-ahie  ot  thi 
uliat  rolatt" 
Oiips  whid 
ing-grounrj 
that  liltor, 

Califor;i;a* 
e  witli  cTfW 

tliink  tlia! 
iig  explor-] 
nowledge  fl 
Ladily  avoi 
oyage  will 
lis  aid  bein 

rofcsaurof  cici 


necessary,  it  seems  to  be  the  better  phm  to  buy  from  him  the  outfit 
he  has,  although  in  so  doing  the  outlay  be  augmented,  and  that 
Vour  Majesty  appoint  him  and  some  other  person  for  the  arrange- 
ment of  the  matter  in  such  a  way  that,  while  Vour  Majesty  be  not 
bound  by  a  contract,  it  might  be  made,  were  it  feasible,  under  the 
right  which  this  man  claims  as  resulting  from  the  agreement  made 
with  him  and  still  binding  for  a  term  of  years.  Although  this  be 
taken  under  consideration,  the  better  plan  would  be  to  entrust  the 
enterprise  to  Don  Gabriel  Maldonado,  he  giving  security;  for  he 
offers  to  undertake  it  without  expense  to  Your  Majesty,  and  he 
could  take  with  him  some  of  the  soldiers  and  sailors  who  accom- 
panied Vizcaino.  He  asks  that,  if  success  should  attend  what 
were  done  now,  he  may  be  preferred  in  the  contract  for  the  explor- 
ation and  pacification  of  the  land.  He  has  a  good  position  in 
society  and  is  held  in  good  repute;  is  of  good  judgment  and  honor- 
able conduct.  When  Your  Majesty  shall  be  pleased  to  give  your 
orders  respecting  this  matter,  in  case  it  were  found  that  Don 
Gabriel  had  not  resources  and  means  sufficient  and  could  not 
comply  with  what  he  offers  to  do,  some  other  way  of  which  ad\'an- 
tage  could  be  taken  might  then  be  provided  for.  Whatever  plan 
be  adopted,  except  it  be  for  the  continuation  of  the  prior  agreement 
made  with  Vi/.caino,  it  would  be  necessary,  in  order  that  the 
intention  be  carried  out,  to  send  a  decree,  so  that  the  audicncia,  in 
case  of  his  demand  and  opposition  thereto,  would  not  prevent  the 
expedition  being  made,  although  the  ordinary  legal  method  of 
determining  the  matter  were  adopted. 

(In  the  margin  of  this  paragraph  the  following  resolution  of  the 
council  appears:) 

"Let  him  be  answered  that,  from  what  he  says  here,  and  as  he 
is  inclined  to  comply  with  the  agreement  made  with  Seba.stian 
Vizcaino  and  as  he  approves  his  sufficiency  and  his  person,  it 
appears  to  be  fitting  that  he  go  on  witli  the  work  of  the  expedition 
which  he  has  begun,  in  execution  of  his  contract,  which  is  con 
firmed;  that  he  do  this  with  all  possible  speed,  and  that  he  be  aided 
in  accordance  with  what  he  asks  in  the  second  memorial  presented 
by  him,  or,  at  lea.st,  with  so  much  of  his  demand  as  may  be  agreed 
upon  and  made  operative;  that  there  be  sent  with  him  religious  of 
well  approved  character,  and  as  many  of  them  as  po.ssible.as  well 
as  some  judicious  per.sonj;  of  satisfactory  reputation  to  assist  him, 
and  that  he  be  admonished  to  regard  them  as  examples  of  the  pru- 
dence and  consideration  he  should  observe  and  the  tact  with  which 


62 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


he  should  proceed  ;  that  he  be  reproved  for  the  lack  of  prudence 
shown  on  his  last  voyage,  particularly  in  having  killed  the  Indians 
as  he  relates  in  his  report  and  in  having  allowed  the  soldier  who 
struck  the  Indian  with  the  butt  of  \v?j  arquebus  to  go  unpunished, 
and  that  he  treat  the  Indians  with  great  love  and  tenderness., 
making  gifts  to  them  in  order  to  attract  them  in  good  will  to  the 
holy  gospel,  not  permitting  injury  to  be  done  to  them;  that  he 
report  what  he  may  do  and  what  the  result  of  the  expedition  may 
be;  that  His  Majesty  be  consulted  in  the  matter,  the  main  end  he 
is  to  accomplish  being  the  conversion  of  the  Indians." 

It  seems  proper  that,  in  connection  with  the  matters  treated  of  in 
the  paragraph  immediately  preceding  this,  I   should  recall  to  the 
attention    of    Your  Majesty  the  loss  of  the    ship    San   Agusiin. 
which  I  reported  in  the  first  letters  written  after  my  arrival  in  this 
realm,  and  to  the  fact  that  with  this  event  the  exploration  of  all 
the  southern  coast,  which  is  of  interest  in  connection  with  the  ships 
that  come  from  the  Philippines,  and  which  was  being  carried  on 
by  commatid  of  Your  Majesty  and  order  of  the  Viceroy  Don   Luis, 
came  to  an  end.     The  object  was  of  importance,  for  the  end  sought 
was  the  survey  and  location  of  some  commodious  harbor  which,  in 
case  of  necessity,  should  serve  these  ships  as  a  place  where  shelter 
might  be  had  and  repairs  made.     To  all  practical  men  it  ,seemeH. 
that  in  making  this  exploration  the  better  method  would   have 
been  for  the  ship  to  sail  from  here  and  along  the  coast.      I  should 
deem    it   to   be  very  fitting  for  Your  Majesty  to  order  that   this 
should  be  done  in  vessels  of  light  burthen,  without   considering 
what  at  that  time  had  been  written  on  the  subject  to  be  of  import 
ance.     I  sent  this  information  to  ^'our  Majesty  because  I  was  not 
satisfied  with  the  reports  I  had  received;  and  I  suggest  that,  if  the 
order  for  the   undertaking  be  given,  in  it  may  be  included  the 
matter  o'  the  exploration  of  the  gulf  of  California  as  well  as  an 
examination  of  the  fishing-grounds,  for  which  piupose  some  divers 
should  be  taken  on  the  ships;  and  that  the  whole  be  entrusted  to 
one  and  tlie  same  person,  if  it  be  thought  he  can  do  what  is  to  be 
done  in  these  waters  and  in  the  time  in  which  it  has  to  be  done  ; 
or,  if  not,  that  the  work  be  divided  between  two  chiefs  with  two 
small  ships  properly  fitted  out,  with  staunch  ves.sels  in  /c.ierve  for 
what  may  offer. 

(In  the  margin  appears  the  following  resolution:) 
"Let  that  which  is  .said  here  concerning  the  ship  of  light  burthen, 
which  could  be  sent  from  Acapulco  to  explore  the  coast,  be  done  ; 
and  this  without  complicating  the  matter  with  what  relates  to  the 


expedition 
and  let  thi 
spection  th 


L 


'^ARTA 

de  Mi 
rimientc 
de  Mendoc 

Porque 

mas  cump 

puertos  y 

cino  que  s 

me  lo  a  ei 

pertrechai 

once  mes( 

zeloso  del 

va.     Oy  c 

el  nombre 

muy  dese( 

criado  y  e 

gran  serv 

sucediere 

felices  an 

menester 

anos. 


Letter 
Acapulc 
his  ship; 
San  Luc 

4.  Thii 
known  to  ! 
DiRttprs  roi 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


63 


prudence 
le  Indians 
Idler  who 
punished, 
inderness., 
^ill  to  the 
that  he 
ition  may 
in  end  he 

-"ated  of  in 
all  to  the 
Agustin, 
'•a\  in  this 
tion  of  all 
1  the  ships 
Mrried  on 
"Jon    Luis, 
nd  sought 
which,  in 
?re  shelter 
it  seemeH 
mid    have 
I  should 
that   this 
)nsidering 
>f  import 
I  was  not 
hat,  if  the 
luded  the 
ell  as  an 
ine  divers 
:rusted  to 
t  is  to  be 
be  done : 
with  two 
.".erve  for 


burthen, 
be  done ; 
es  to  the 


expedition  to  the  Californias,  unless  this  be  attended  to  on  i.'iic  v.'?y; 
and  let  this  enterprise  be  undertaken  at  once  with  the  circum- 
spection that  is  proper."* 


Document  No.  13. 

/"^ARTA  a  S.  M.  de  Sebastian  Vizcayno,  fecha  en  Acapulco  a  5 
^-^  de  Mayo  de  1602  manifestando  que  sale  con  las  naos  al  descub- 
rimiento  y  demarcacion  de  la  costa  desde  el  cabo  de  San  Lucas  d  el 
ili;  Mendoc  no. 

Porque  el  Conde  de  Monterrey,  Virrey  de  la  nueva  espafia  dard 
mas  cumplido  aviso  del  despacho  y  avio  del  descubrimiento  de  los 
puertos  y  bayas  de  la  costa  de  la  mar  del  sur  hasta  el  cabo  mendo- 
cino  que  se  hace  por  horden  de  vuestra  magestad  el  dicho  virrey 
me  lo  a  encargado  en  dos  bageles  una  lancha  y  un  barco  luengo 
pertrechandolos  con  gente  de  mar  y  guerra  y  bastimentos  para 
once  meses  todo  con  niucho  cuidado  como  de  tan  buen  gobernador 
zeloso  del  serv'cio  de  Dios  y  aumento  de  la  rreal  corona  se  espera- 
va.  Oy  domingo  cinco  de  Mayo  alas  cinco  me  hago  a  la  vela  en 
el  nombre  de  dios  y  de  su  vendita  mad  re  y  de  vuestra  magestad 
muy  deseoso  de  acertar  en  todo  lo  que  se  me  a  hordenado  como  leal 
criado  y  espero  en  su  divina  magestad  de  que  se  le  d  de  hazer  muy 
gran  servicio,  d  vuestra  magestad  yre  avisando  siempre  de  lo  que 
sucediere  en  e!>te  viaje  a  quien  nuestro  seilor  guarde  por  largos  y 
felices  aiios  como  todos  los  reynos  de  vuestra  magestad  avemos 
menester.  de  Acapulco  d  cinco  de  Mayo  de  mil  seiscientos  dos 
aiios.         Skb.\stian  Vizcaino. 


TRANSLATION. 

Letter  to  His  Majesty  from  Sebastian  Vizcaino,  dated  at 
Acapulco,  5th  May,  1602,  reporting  that  he  is  about  to  sail  with 
his  ships  for  the  discovery  and  demarcation  of  the  coast  from  Cape 
San  Lucas  to  Cape  Mendocino. 

4.  Tbin  IfUnr,  and  the  comments  thereon  miiile  in  the  India  t'oitncil,  bad  they  been 
known  to  Mr.  H.  H.  Maurroft'fi  writerp,  would  have  shod  conftiderablc  li).'ht  on  certain 
matt«ra  pounected  with  Vl7.ealuo'8  voyaitr,  which  tho«ew'rit«!r!intidcr»to(>d  very  imperfectly. 


64 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  Calijornia. 


Because  tlie  Conde  de  Monterey,  Viceroy  of  New  Spain,  will 
give  a  more  detailed  report  concerning  the  fitting  out  and  dispatch 
of  the  expedition  undertaken  by  order  of  Your  Majesty  for  the 
discovery  of  the  harbors  and  bays  of  the  coast  of  the  South  Sea  as 
far  as  Cape  Mendocino,  I  report  merely  that  the  said  Viceroy  has 
entrusted  to  me  the  accomplishment  of  the  same,  in  two  ships,  a 
lancha  and  a  barcolucngo,^  manned  with  sailors  and  soldiers  and 
provisioned  for  eleven  months,  all  this  being  done  with  great  care 
— as  was  to  be  expected  on  the  part  of  a  governor  so  good  and  so 
zealous  for  the  service  of  God  and  the  increase  of  the  royal  crown. 
To-day,  being  Sunday,  the  5th  of  May,  I  sail  at  five  o'clock,  in 
the  names  of  God  and  his  blessed  mother  and  of  Your  Majesty,  I 
being  very  desirous  of  succeeding  in  all  that  I  have  been  ordered 
to  do,  as  beseems  a  loyal  servant,  and  I  trust  in  the  divine 
majesty  that  I  shall  do  very  great  service  to  his  cause.  As  I 
proceed  on  the  voyage,  of  what  may  happen  I  shall  advise  Your 
Majesty,  whom  may  our  Lord  guard  many  and  happy  years,  as  is 
necessary  for  the  well-being  of  Your  Majesty's  whole  realm.  From 
Acapulco,  the  fifth  of  ^klay,  one  thousand  six  hundred  and  two. 

Sebasti.\n  Vizcaxno. 

1.  In  tliu  orlslticl  the  words  art' "rfos  fcn<;f?cj<  una  lanrha  y  vn  harcnliifngo."  The  word 
bajel  (wliich  is  the  oorrcpt  NvclliiiK)  hHs  the  kamc  slKiilflrntloii  as  our  English  word  veesel. 
As  the  pussiigo  is  not  puuctuatcd  It  miRht  bo  rendered  by  "two  vessels,  a  laiichc.  and  a 
bareoliiengo;  "  but  the  words  "dos  navios  una  lanohit  y  wn  barrolueuKo"  are  used  in  Viz- 
caino's letter  written  at  Monterey  Bay  nurt  in  his  report  to  the  King  made  after  hii  return 
to  Mexleo.  The  word  Jiavio  (which  is  equiviileut  to  iiao  and  nave)  has  about  tht  mean- 
tUK  of  our  word  ship,  for  the  navio  was  decked  and  had  three  masts.  It  seems  bettei,  there- 
fore, to  render  the  passat^e  by  "two  ships,  a  lancha  and  a  barcoluenpo,"  as  undoubtedly 
there  were  four  vessels.  And  it  is  thouRlit  better  not  to  attempt  o  translation  of  the  words 
lancha  and  barcnlur.nijo  bee Huse  there  are  no  fairly  equivalent  Kuglish  words  to  express 
what  they  were.  The  fajir/ia  was  a  small  vcxsol  having  no  deck  and  but  one  mcst,  the 
movement  of  the  vessel  beinn  aided  by  sweeps.  A  barea  had  no  deck;  a  barcnlumgo,  or 
barcnInngo.waH  a  long  barea,  having  one  or  two  masts  and  a  bluff  bow  and,  probably,  behav- 
ing very  badly  in  going  about  in  a  head  sea  or  In  working  to  windward.  Such  vessels  as 
these  were  useful  as  tenders  and  in  the  exploration  of  shoal  waters  and  narrow  pessages. 
It  will  be  interesting  to  note  here  that  Mr.  II.  H.  liancroft's  writers  do  not  seem  to  be 
certain  about  the  number  and  <'la«s  of  Vizcaino's  vessels.  The  writer  of  chap.  VII  Vol.  X, 
Hiftnrfi  of  the  Pacific  Slates,  says  that  the  Heet  consisted  of  two  naviog,  a  fragata  and  a  lanchn. 
In  no  instance,  it  will  be  noted,  does  Vizcaino  in  his  own  leport*  mention  afragr.ta.  This 
writ^-r,  by  the  way.  gives  four  o'clock  as  the  hour  of  sailing.  The  writer  of  chB-,i.  Ill,  Vol. 
XIH  of  tlie  work  cited  siiys  that  Vizcaino  commanded  a  "tleet  of  three  vessels.'  Compari- 
sons are  odious;  at  times,  nevertheless,  the  results  obtained  from  comparison',  are  ctirlous. 
Such  mistakes  are  many  In  The  lli»toru  of  the  I'arific  StnlcH:  but  that  such  is  ti.e  case  can  not 
cause  astonishment  when  it  is  remembered  that  the  work  was  written  by  many  hands. 
When  a  publisher  adopts  the  plan  of  having'  the  account  of  a  series  of  cj'nncc.ted  events 
written  by  more  than  one  person,  ordinary  caution,  it  might  be  thonsrlil,  diould  suggest  to 
a  competent  editor  a  compaiison  of  the  statements  nm.le  in  ditt'ercul  ii'i.ls  of  the  work. 


WA  VPA 

*    Vireydi 
mag*  tiene 
lacostadela 
dandomepa 
deinaryguer 
messes,    ye 
acap"  aqinc 
rimiento    a 
sauido   Lar 
Mai  ayudad 
aSeruir  aSu 
hasta    este] 
grados   den 
pide  Elartec 
muestra  Pn 
copia  aldhot 
estepuerto 
quesumag'' 
dephilipina: 
que  tiene  g 
nauio  derail 
nauios  yest 
muy  segurc 
dies  yes  mt 
qualquier   i 
generos  des 

Yo  ABisf 
ylomuncho 
enlatierra 
yafable  que 
Redusiran 
proueer  en( 
irre  confidt 

Respecto 
Parahassen 
seraeangasi 


Dociimcnls  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


65 


Document  No.  14. 

VA  VPA  Alteza  abratenido  Noticia  como  El  conde  demonte  Rey 
*  Vireydela  nueba  espana  enconformidad  dela  horden  quedeSu- 
mag*  tiene  Meencargo  El  des  cubrimiento  deles  Puertos  ybayas  de- 
lacostadela  Mardelsur  desdeelpuerto  de  acap~  alcauo  Mendocino 
dandomeparaello  dosnavfos  Unalancha  yUnbarcoluengo  congente 
demaryguerra  armasymuniciones  conbastimentos  Para  liomce 
messes,  yenconformidad  delahorden  queparaello  medio  salide- 
acap"  aqinco  de  mayo  delano  yhebenido  hariendo  Eldicho  descub- 
riiniento  aUnquecon  Muncha  dificultatad  y  trauajo  Porno  ser 
sauido  Lanauegacion  yauersido  siempre  Los  Vietitos  contrario.s 
Mai  ayudadodedios  ydelbuendesseo  que  siempre  hetenido  deaSertar 
aSeruir  aSumag*  hee  descubierto  Munchos  Puertos  Bayas  y  Islas 
hasta  estepuerto  demonte  Rey  puesto  enaltura  detreyntayi;;iete 
grados  demarcandolotodo  ysondandolo  conSuderrotero  como  Lo 
pide  Elartedelamar  Sindejarcossasustancial  quedeello  y  delo  que- 
muestra  Prometer  Latierra  y  la  Munchagente  que  enella  ay  enuio 
copia  aldhoconde  Para  quelaenuie  aSumag**  yaVra  Alteza.  Loquees 
estepuerto  demonte  Reydemas  destar  entanbuena  Altura  Paralo 
quesumag**  Pretende  Paraanparo  ySiguridad  delasnaos  quebienen 
dephilipinas  enelpueden  Redimir  Lanessesidad  quetrugeren  Por- 
que  tiene  granSuma  depinales  para  arboles  yentenas  aUnquesea 
nauio  demill  toneladas  ensinas  yRobles  muygrandes  Parafabricar 
nauios  yesto  juntoala  marina  aguadela  encautidad  yElpueito  es 
may  seguro  detodos  Los  Bientos  La  tierra  estatoda  PoBlada  deyn- 
dios  yes  muyfertil  yesdeltemple  yterruiio  de  castilla  yse  dara  enella 
qualquier  semilla  quesesembrare  ay  grandes  deessas  ymunchos 
generos  deanimales  iaues  como  enladirha  Relacion  secontiene. 

Yo  ABisso  aSumag**  delgrandor  deste  Reyno  ygranpoBlado  esta 
ylomuncho  que  promete  yloque  Losyndios  Meandado  aentender  ay 
enlatierra  adentro  depoPlaciones  ycomo  lagente,  es  Manssa 
yafable  queconfacilidad  entiendo  ReSibiran  ElSanto  ebangelio  yse 
Redusiran  allacorona  Real  yPues  sumag""  es  seiior  ydueiio  detodo 
proueer  enello  Lo  queraas  conbenga  queloquefueredemip'*  L.  seru- 
irre  confidelidad  hastamorir. 

Respecto  deauerme  detenido  Mastiempo  delquesse  entendio 
Parahasserestedescubrimiento  Porlasdificultades  quetengo  dichas 
semeangastado  LaMay'  iParte  delos  Bastim*^  ymuni^iones  quesem- 


66 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


caieron  yconelmunchotrauajo  quelagente  hatenido  aenfermado 
Alguna  cantidad  ymuertosse  algunos  demaneraque  Parahasser 
eldicho  descubrimiento  deUnauez  ansidel  cauo  Mendocino  como 
enSenada  decalifornias  quees  lahorden  qiietraygo  semeofrecio  difi- 
cultad  parapoderllo  hassertodo  sinmucho  vSocorro  debastimentos 
gente  ymuniciones  yansi  despacho  Paraello  alalmirante  deauisso 
aldichoconde  pidiendole  Lo  ness"  yadViertiendole  enqueparageya- 
quetiempo  Melo  abradeenuiar  conla  Relacion  demarcation  yderrot- 
eros  ytodo  Lo  quehehecho  eneldicho  descubrimiento  hastaoy  Para- 
quele  enuie  aVra  Alteza  semelo  enuiare  espero  endios  deha(,'er  Un- 
gran  Serui"  aSumag*"  ylleuar  descubierto  grandes  Reynos  yRiqueza 
detodo  lo  quesefuere  lia(;iendo  enlas  ocaciones  quesse  ofrecieren 
auisare  dello  aVra  Alteza  con  verdad  yfidelidad  guardenro  Seiior 
aVra  Alteza  como  Lacristian  hamenester  yyo  criado  deVraAlt". 
Puerto  demonte  Rev  a  28  dedissiembre  de  1602. 

Sebastian  Bizcayn 
(hay  rubrica.) 


TRANSLATION. 

Your  Highness'  will  have  had  notice  already  of  how  the  ConJe 
de  Monterey,  Viceroy  of  New  Spain,  in  conformity  with  the  orders 
which  he  has  from  His  Majesty,  charged  me  with  the  exploration 
of  the  harbors  and  bays  of  the  coast  of  the  South  Sea  from  the  port 
of  Acapulco  to  Cape  Mendocino,  giving  me  for  that  purpose  two 
ships,  ulaticha,  and  a  barcoluengo,  together  with  seamen  and  soldiers, 
arms  and  ammunition,  and  provisions  for  eleven  months;  that,  in 
accordance  with  the  orders  given  to  me  for  that  end,  I  sailed  from 
Acapulco  on  the  5th  day  of  May  of  this  year;  that  I  have  prose- 
cuted said  exploration,  although  with  great  difficulty  and  labor, 
because  the  navigation  was  unknown  and  head  winds  were  con- 
stant, while  the  aid  of  providence  and  the  good  desire  I  have  ever 
felt  for  serving  His  Majesty  availed  me  little.  I  have  discovered 
many  harbors,  bays  and  islands,  as  far  as  the  port  of  Monterey,  a 
harbor  which  is  in  thirty-seven  degrees  of  latitude,  surveying  all 
and  sounding,  and  noting  the  sailing-directions,  according  to  the 


1.  This  letter  evidently  was  uot  writu>n  to  the  King,  b\it  to  some  person  of  very  tiigb 
r»nl|  in  Kpain,  ae  Vizcaino  mentlouR  the  monarch  iu  the  third  pertion  and  as  the  title  ot 
"Highnend"  WBS  given  only  to  princtB  ot  the  blood.  It  Ik  to  be  regretted  that  tlic  nameof 
t^lB  personage  ba<i  not  beoh  ftiven  in  connection  'with  the  copy  of  tiie  doeunient. 


art  of  navig 
ing  the  sati 
dwelling  tl 
Conde,  in 
Majesty  an 
rey  is,  in  a 
that  which 
ity  of  ships 
the  damag( 
extent  of  p 
though  the 
white  oaks' 
number.  ^ 
land  is  thic 
and  the  qui 
there  will  i 
and  many  I 
referred  to. 

I  advise 
and  its  nun 
what  the  I 
people  of  tl 
so  that  the: 
will  come 
Majesty  is 
to  him.     A 
him  till  dei 

With  reg 
was  thougl 
diflSculties 
sions   and 
expended; 
gone  throu 
—so  that  f( 
region  of  C 
nias,  as  is  1 

2.  Ene.iiw  I 
not  the  qnercm 
n  California; 

lornia.    In  .Me: 

3.  In  tbec 
meant  to  be  co; 
M  the  Oulf  of  < 
by  the  Viceroy 
India  Council 


Documents  Jrom  the  Sutro  Collection. 


67 


art  of  navigation,  without  neglecting  any  substantial  thing  concern- 
ing the  same,  and  noting  what  the  land  and  the  numerous  peoples 
dwelling  therein  seemingly  promise.  I  send  a  copy  to  the  said 
Conde,  in  order  that  he  may  transmit  the  information  to  His 
Majesty  and  to  Your  Highness.  As  to  what  this  harbor  of  Monte- 
rey is,  in  addition  to  being  so  well  situated  in  point  of  latitude  for 
that  which  His  Majesty  intends  to  do  for  the  protection  and  secur- 
ity of  ships  coming  from  the  Phillipines:  In  it  may  be  repaired 
the  damages  which  they  may  have  sustained,  for  there  is  a  great 
extent  of  pine  forest  from  which  to  obtain  masts  and  yards,  even 
though  the  vessel  be  of  a  thousand  tons  burthen,  live  oaks  and 
white  oaks*  for  ship-building,  and  this  close  to  the  seaside  in  great 
number.  And  the  harbor  is  very  secure  against  all  winds.  The 
land  is  thickly  peopled  by  Indians  and  is  very  fertile,  in  its  climate 
and  the  quality  of  the  soil  resembling  Castile,  and  any  seed  sown 
there  will  give  fruit,  and  there  are  extensive  lands  fit  for  pasturage, 
and  many  kinds  of  animals  and  birds — as  is  set  forth  in  the  report 
referred  to. 

I  advise  His  Majesty  concerning  the  great  extent  of  this  land 
and  its  numerous  population,  and  what  promise  it  holds  forth,  and 
what  the  Indians  have  given  me  to  understand  concerning  the 
people  of  the  interior,  and  of  how  gentle  and  affable  the  people  is, 
so  that  they  will  receive  readily,  as  I  think,  the  holy  gospel  and 
will  come  into  sitbjection  to  the  royal  crown;  and,  since  His 
Majesty  is  lord  and  master  of  all,  let  him  provide  as  may  seem  best 
to  him.  As  to  what  it  behooves  me  to  do  on  my  part,  I  will  serve 
him  till  death. 

With  regard  to  my  having  delayed  longer  than  the  time  which 
was  thought  necessary  for  this  exploration  :  Because  of  the  many 
difficulties  of  which  I  have  spoken,  the  greater  part  of  the  provi- 
sions and  ammunition  which  were  furnished  to  me  has  been 
expended;  while,  owing  to  the  great  labors  which  my  crews  have 
gone  through,  a  number  of  men  hav^e  fallen  ill  and  some  have  died 
—so  that  for  making  the  exploration  at  this  time,  as  well  of  the 
region  of  Cape  Mendocino  as  of  the  entire  littoral'  of  the  Califor- 
nias,  as  is  called  for  by  ray  orders,  I  have  met  with   obstacles   to 

2.  Encina  I  trMUslate  live  oak.  The  Californiiin  treo  so  called  is  qverpnn  aarifolia  and 
not  the  qiiereiu  virenn  of  the  trans-glerran  coast.  Robte  is  ij«»?j'di«  robiir,  which  Is  not  found 
Id  California;  I  use  the  word  uiAi'tcoait,  a  tree  of  which  there  are  several  varieties  in  Cali- 
'omla.    In  Mexico  the  name  roble  is  applied  to  all  oaks  other  than  live  oaks. 

3.  In  the  original  the  word  is  rntenada,  meaning  bight,  a  word  not  expressing  the  idea 
meant  to  be  conveved.  U,  may  be,  possibly,  that  by  ensenada  de  Oali/nrniat  what  we  know 
U  the  Uulf  of  California  is  meant.  Hee,  in  this  connection,  the  couclndinir  remarks  mad« 
by  the  Viceroy  in  his  letter  to  the  KinK  dated  '26th  November,  insT,  and  the  resolutinuof  th« 
India  Cou  ncll  conceruing  the  suggcatioD  made. 


68 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


the  completion  of  all  the  work  without  considerable  succor  in  the 
way  of  provisions,  people  and  ammunition,  and  speedy  dispatch  of 
these.  Let  the  Admiral  be  advised  by  the  said  Conde  of  this,  he 
asking  him  for  what  is  necessary,  and  letting  him  know  to  what 
place  and  at  what  time  he  must  dispatch  these  things  to  me  (send- 
ing to  him  also  the  map,  report  and  sailing-directions  concerning 
all  I  have  done  in  said  exploration  to  the  present  time)  so  that 
Your  Highness  may  order  that  the  same  be  sent  to  me.  I  trust  in 
God  that  1  may  do  a  great  service  to  His  Majesty  and  that  I  shall 
discover  great  realms  and  riches.  Of  all  that  may  be  done  I  shall 
advise  Your  Highness,  as  opportunities  for  doing  this  may  present 
themselves,  with  truth  and  faithfully.  May  Our  Lord  guard  Your 
Highness,  a  ward  so  necessary  to  the  christian.  I  am  the  servant 
of  Your  Highness. 

Harbor  of  Monterey,  2Sth  December,  1602. 

Seb.\stian  Vizcaino. 
(a  rtibrica.) 


Document  No.  15. 

/~^ARTA  a  S.  M.  de  vSebastian  Vizcaino  fcchada  en  Megico  k  23 
^—*  de  Mayo  de  1603,  participando  su  regreso  del  descubrimiento 
y  demarcacion  de  las  costas  de  las  Californias  Itasta  los  42  grades 
de  latitud  norte. 

El  afio  pasado  de  seiscientos  dos  por  orden  de  vuestro  virrey 
Conde  de  Monterrey,  fui  a  descubrir  la  costa  de  la  mar  del  sur  con 
dos  navios  una  lancha  y  un  barco  luengo,  con  la  gente  de  mar  y 
guerra  pertrechada  y  bastecida  de  lo  necesario  para  un  afio,  sail 
del  puerto  de  Acapulco  como  entonces  di  avisso  d  vuestra  mages- 
tad  a  cinco  de  Mayo  del  dicho  aiio  y  en  conformidad  con  la  orden 
(t  instruccion  (jue  lleve  descubri  muy  puntualmente  toda  la  costa 
sin  dejar  puerto,  baya,  ysla  ni  ^nsenada  que  no  se  sondase  y  dem- 
arcase  conforme  a  buena  cos.nografia  y  arte  de  marcar,  porque 
como  a  vuestra  magestad  escrivi6  su  virrey  llev6  un  co.smografo  de 
confidencia  y  ciencia  en  tablas  geograficas  en  mi  compatia  para  que 
muy  cstensamente  pusiese  y  apuntase  en  mapa  y  carta  lo  que 
vuestra  magestad  mandara  bar  por  la  que  el  dicho  virrey   enbia 


agora  cor 
que  halle 
grados  qii 
magestad 
todo  lo  qi 
la  carrera 
puerto  ab 
pinos  par 
encinas,  1 
cone j OS,  1 
que  en  cv 
tierra  es  ( 
el  vicio  d 
particulai 
muy  pobl 
y  muy  ab 
magestad 
tambien  c 
vacas  y  o 
yndios  di 
nienores  ; 
pellejos  d 
y  adereza 
hilo  de  li 
para  pesc 
clones  de 
mar  con 
j^rande  tc 
descubri 
poblada  ; 
grandes 
de  much 
a  la  yma 
sacrificio 
dicha  rel 
decian  a 
Y  avie 
guno  es 
a  donde 
les  diese 
otras  vec 
que  si  e| 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


69 


or  in  the 
spatch  of 
f  this,  he 

to  what 
ne  (send- 
ancerning 

so  that 
I  trust  in 
It  I  shall 
le  I  shall 
y  present 
lard  Your 
e  servant 


■gico  k  23 
ibrimiento 
42  grades 


tro  virrey 
el  sur  con 
de  mar  y 
I  ano,  sail 
ra  mages- 
la  orden 
1  la  costa 
3e  y  dera- 
r,  porque 
lografo  de 
a  para  que 
ta  lo  que 
rey  enbia 


agora  con  la  deinarcacon  y  relaciones  de  todo.  entre  los  puertos 
que  halle  de  mas  consuieracion  fiid  uno  en  altura  de  treinta  y  siete 
grados  que  le  nombr^  Monterrey.  Como  de  alii  escrivi  d  vuestra 
magestad  a  los  veinte  y  ocho  de  Setiembre  del  dicho  ano  que  es 
todo  lo  que  se  puede  desear  para  comodidad  y  escala  de  las  naos  de 
la  carrera  de  Filipinas  donde  vienen  d  reconoscer  esta  costa,  cs  el 
puerto  abrigado  de  todos  los  vicirtos  y  en  la  marina  tiene  niuchos 
pinos  para  arbolar  las  naos  del  tanaiio  que  las  quisieren  y  tainbien 
encinas,  robles,  romero,  para,  rosas  de  Alcjandria,  mucha  ca(;a  de 
conejos,  liebres,  perdices  y  otros  generos  y  especies  de  espafia  mas 
que  en  cierra  morena  y  abes  bolatiles  de  diferentes  maneras.  La 
tierra  es  de  apacible  temple  y  de  buenas  aguas  y  muy  fertil  por 
el  vicio  de  la  arboleda  y  planta  porque  vi  algunos  frutos  de  ella  y 
particularmente  de  castaiiasy  bellotas,  mayor  que  las  de  espafia  y 
muy  poblada  de  gente  cuya  condicion  vi  ser  suave,  mansa  y  docil 
y  muy  abta  para  reducirlos  d  el  santo  evangelio  y  corona  de  vuestra 
magestad,  su  comida  es  de  muchas  y  barias  semillas  (jue  tieneii  y 
tambien  carne  de  cara  como  son  ciervos  que  los  ay  mayores  que 
vacas  y  ossos  y  ganado  vacuno  y  cibolas  y  otros  muchos.  Son  los 
yndios  de  buen  cuerpo,  blancos  de  rrostro  y  las  mugeres  algo 
menores  y  bien  agestados,  su  bestido  es  de  la  gente  de  la  playa  de 
pellejos  de  lobos  marines  (jue  los  ay  en  abundancia  que  los  curten 
y  aderezan  mejor  que  en  Castilla,  tienen  tambien  gran  cantidad  de 
hilo  de  lino  de  Castilla,  canamo  algodon  de  que  hacen  cordeles 
para  pescar  y  redes  para  conejos  y  liebres  y  tienen  sus  embarca- 
ciones  de  madera  de  pino  muy  bien  fabricadas  en  que  salen  d  la 
mar  con  catorce  remeros  por  banda  can  gran  ligereza  aun  con 
grande  tormenta.  Tome  relacion  de  ellos  y  otros  muchos  que 
descubri  en  la  costa  en  mas  de  ochocientas  leguas  que  anduve  toda 
poblada  sin  numero  de  yndios  que  decian  haver  la  tierra  adentro 
grandes  poblaciones  conbidandose  fuese  con  ellos.  Con  muestras 
de  mucha  amistad  y  querer  la  contratacion  de  nosotros  aficionados 
a  la  ymagen  de  nucstra  seiiora  que  los  ensefic  y  muy  atentos  al 
sacrificio  de  la  misa.  Usan  de  barios  ydolos  como  me  rremito  d  la 
dicha  relacion  de  vuestro  virrey  y  conocen  bien  la  plata  y  oro  y 
decian  aberlo  la  tierra  adentro. 

Y  aviendose  de  poblar  algun  puerto  6  parage  de  esta  costa  nin- 
guno  es  mas  aproposito  que  este  de  Monte-Rey  por  las  causas  dichas 
a  donde  las  naos  de  tornaviaje  de  Filipinas  podran  benir  a  ^1  y  si 
les  diese  tormenta  despues  de  enmaradas  no  arribar  al  Japon  como 
otras  veces  lo  an  hecho  y  perdidose  tatitas  con  tan  gruesa  hacienda 
que  si  este   estuviera   descubierto   no  se  ubiera   deservido  tanto 


70 


H hi  or  tea  I  Society  oj  Southern  Cali/oriiia, 


vuestra  inagestad.  Conocidos  los  ticnipos  de  verano  se  podr^ 
entrar  por  este  paraje  la  tierra  adentro  y  descubrirla  porque  prom- 
ete  nnichas  riqiie/.as  y  por  la  costa  se  pueda  tainbien  descubrir  el 
resto  de  ella  qui-  auiique  yo  llegud-  a  cuaretita  y  dos  grados  que  fu^ 
el  limite  de  mi  iiistruccioii  pasa  adelante  la  costa  y  esta  cerca  del 
Jnpon  y  costa  do  la  gran  china  (jues  una  corta  travesia  y  lo  mismo 
de  la  tartaria  y  faniosa  ciudad  de  tjuinsay  con  innumerables  gentes 
que  confornte  a  la  relacion  que  tube  son  del  propio  yndibiduo  y 
natural  df  los  diclios  que  para  la  propagacion  de  la  fe  y  rreduccion 
de  tantas  almas  a  Dios  se  abrira  la  puerta  para  que  la  semilla  del 
santo  evangelio  se  produzca  d  tanta  gentilidad. 

Once  Jueses  se  gastaron  en  el  viaje  en  que  se  padecieron  notables 
trabajos  y  con  t'1  tnucho  que  tuvo  mi  gente  enferma  toda  y  se 
murieron  cuareiita  y  dos  hasta  llegar  al  puerto  de  acapulco,  yo  e 
acudido  sefior  a  continuar  el  servicio  de  vuestra  magestad  en  este 
descubrimiento  como  lo  hice  en  la  Jornada  de  la  California,  y  otras 
nnichas  de  que  tt-iigo  avisado  a  vuestra  Real  consejo  por  papeles 
que  presente  en  cl  con  inucho  cuidado  y  puntualidadcomo  tambien 
nie  rremito  a  los  lutevos  t|ue  agora  ban  en  que  e  gastado  la  mayor 
parte  de  mi  hacienda  y  salud.  mas  la  poca  que  me  queda  y  mi 
persona  esta  dedioada  a  vuestro  Real  servicio  con  la  entereza,  amor, 
tidelidad  de  leal  vasallo  y  criado  de  vuestra  magestad  a  quien  sup- 
lico  mande  se  bean  los  mios  remunerandolos  con  las  mercedes  de 
tan  poderossas  y  reales  manos  mandando  tambien  harerla  d  los 
oficiales  de  mar  y  guerra  que  lleve  conmigo  rrecomendando  sus 
personas  a  vuestro  virrey  de  esta  nueva  Kspana.  dios  guarde 
la  Real  y  Catolica  persona  de  vuestra  magestad  de  Mexico  d  23 
de  Mayo  de  1603.     Sebastian  Vizcaino. 


TRANSLATION. 

Letter  to  His  Majesty  from  Sebastian  Vizcaino,  dated  at  Mexico, 
on  the  23d  of  May,  1603,  announcing  his  return  from  the  explora- 
tion and  demarcation  of  the  coa.sts  of  the  Californias  as  far  as 
latitude  42^*  north. 

In  the  past  year  of  six  hundred  and  two,  by  order  of  yotir 
Viceroy,  the  Conde  de  Monterey,  I  set  out  on  the  discovery  of  the 
coast  of  the  South  Sea  with  two  ships,  a  lancha,  and  a  barcolueitgo^ 


with  the  r 
evcrythinj 
pulco,  as 
said  year; 
had,  I  exp 
bay,  islam 
ance  with 
tion  ;  for, 
nied  by  a 
cunning  i 
he  might  1 
and  chart 
which  the 
and  reporl 
considerat 
of  latitude 
from  that 
be  desired 
the  voyag 
on  this  CO 
the  immec 
desired  si> 
rosemary, 
game,  sue 
species  foi 
Morena,  a 
there.     T 
is  very  fet 
trees  and  ] 
nuts  and  i 
thickly  se 
tion,  peac 
the  fold  o 
Your  Maj 
ahundanc 
which  art 
and  manj 
fair  comp 
men  and 

1.  Malt  I 
to  say  h«re  tl 
U(it  anoliur  i 
wrote  the  let 
HiRhneM." 


Poritmrnts  from  (he  Stitro  Collection. 


se  podr^ 
que  prom 
scubrir  el 
los  que  fu^ 
cerca  del 
lo  mismo 
)les  gentes 
dibiduo  y 
rreduccion 
einilla  del 

MI  notables 
toda  y  se 
111  CO,  yo  e 
id  en  este 
lia,  y  otras 
lor  papeles 
lo  tambien 
la  mayor 
eda  y  mi 
eza,  amor, 
quieii  sup- 
ercedes de 
erla  d  los 
dando  sus 
OS  guarde 
?xico   d  23 


at  Mexico, 

e  explora- 

as   far  as 


r  of  yotir 
'ery  of  the 
xrcolueitgo^ 


with  the  requisite  sailors  and  soldiers,  armed  and  provisioned  with 
everything  necessary  for  a  year.  I  sailed  from  the  port  of  Aca- 
pulco,  as  I  advised  Your  Majesty  at  the  time,  on  the  5th  of  May  Of 
said  year;  and,  in  conformity  with  the  order  and  instructions  I 
had,  I  explored  very  diligently  the  whole  coast,  not  leaving  harbor, 
bay, island  or  bight  without  sounding  and  delineating  ii  in  accord- 
ance with  the  rules  of  good  cosmography  and  the  art  of  det  larca 
tion  :  for,  as  your  Viceroy  wrote  to  V'our  Majesty.  I  was  accompa- 
nied by  a  cosmographer  in  whom  confidt'tice  can  be  reposed  and 
cunning  in  the  matter  of  geographical  computations,  in  order  that 
he  might  put  down  and  note  in  the  most  complete  manner  on  map 
and  chart  the  result  of  the  examination  Your  Majesty  should  order, 
which  the  Viceroy  now  forwards,  together  with  the  delineation 
and  reports  concerning  the  whole.  Among  the  ports  of  greater 
consideration  which  I  discovered  was  one  in  thirty-seven  degrees 
of  latitude,  which  I  called  Monterey.  As  I  wrote  to  Your  Majesty 
from  that  port  on  the  28th  September'  of  said  year,  it  is  all  that  can 
be  desired  for  commodiousness  and  as  a  station  for  ships  making 
the  voyage  to  the  Phillipines,  sailing  whence  they  make  a  landfall 
on  this  coast.  Thi.s  port  is  sheltered  from  all  winds,  while  on 
the  immediate  coast  there  are  pines  from  which  masts  of  any 
desired  size  can  be  obtained,  as  well  as  live  oaks  and  white  oaks, 
rosemary,  the  vine,  the  ro.se  of  Alexandria,  a  great  variety  of 
game,  such  as  rabbits,  hares,  partridges,  and  other  sorts  and 
species  found  in  Spain  and  in  greater  abundance  than  in  theSieiTa 
Morena.  and  flying  birds  of  kinds  differing  from  those  to  be  found 
there.  This  land  has  a  genial  climate,  its  waters  are  good,  and  it 
is  very  fertile — judging  from  the  varied  and  luxuriant  growth  of 
trees  and  plants;  for  I  saw  some  of  the  fruits,  particularly  chest- 
nuts and  acorns,  which  are  larger  than  those  of  Spain.  And  it  is 
thickly  settled  with  people  whom  I  found  to  be  of  gentle  disposi- 
tion, peaceable  and  docile,  and  who  can  be  brought  readily  within 
the  fold  of  the  holy  gospel  and  into  subjection  to  the  crown  of 
Your  Majesty.  Their  food  consists  of  seeds  which  they  have  in 
abundance  and  variety  and  of  the  flesh  of  game,  such  as  deer 
which  are  larger  than  cows,  and  bear,  and  of  neat  cattle  and  bi.sons 
and  many  other  animals.  The  Indians  are  of  good  stature  and 
fair  complexion,  the  women  being  somewhat  le.ss  in  size  than  the 
men  and  of  pleasing  countenance.     The  clothing  of  the  people  of 

1.  MuklDRttio  mouth  Supteinbor  mimt  \w  h  miHtakf  of  tJio <<>i>>iHt!  vTicHitTo  Ik  ma^e 
to  say  hnrethat  he  wrote  totlif*  King  from  Monterey  Bwy  ou  tho  istu  8eptuml>cr.  He  did 
uot  anchor  in  that  hay  until  the  16th  of  December.  Ou  the  JSth  of  this  lattor  muath  he 
wrote  the  letter,  of  whiith  a  copy  precedeo  this,  to  a  person  whom  tie  addresiu^s  as  "V  >ur 
Hlghnesg  " 


i 


72 


y//i/orifa/  Society  0/  Southern  Cali/ornJa. 


the  coast-lands  consists  of  the  skins  of  the  sea-wolves  abounding 
there,  which  they  tan  and  dress  better  than  is  done  in  Castile;  Ihey 
possess  also,  in  j^reat  (juanlity,  flax  like  that  of  Castile,  hemp  and 
cotton,  from  which  they  make  fishing-lines  and  nets  for  rabbits 
and  hares.  They  have  vessels  of  pine-wood  very  well  made,  in 
which  they  go  to  sea  with  fourteen  paddle-men  of  a  side,  with 
great  dexterity — even  in  very  stormy  weather.  I  was  informed  by 
them,  and  by  many  others  I  met  with  in  great  numbers  along 
more  than  eiglit  hundred  leagues  of  a  thickly  settled  coast,  th.it 
inland  tliere  are  great  communities,  which  they  invited  me  to 
visit  with  them.  They  manifested  great  friendship  for  us  anti  a 
desire  for  intcrconr.se;  ".ere  well  affected  towards  the  image  of  Our 
Lady  which  1  .showed  to  them  and  very  attentive  to  the  sacrifict- ol 
the  mass.  They  worship  different  idols,  for  an  account  of  whicli  1 
refer  to  .said  report  of  your  Viceroy,  and  they  are  well  acquaiiitd 
with  silver  and  gold,  and  said  that  these  were  found  in  tie 
interior. 

And,  as  some  port  or  place  on  this  coast  is  to  be  occupied,  ma.e 
is  so  proper  for  the  purpose  as  this  harbor  of  Monterey.  For  the 
reasons  given,  this  port  can  be  made  by  ship.s  on  the  return  voya;;.' 
from  the  Phillipines  ;  and  if,  after  putting  to  sea,  a  storm  le 
encountered,  they  need  not,  as  formerly,  run  for  Japan,  where  ."-o 
many  have  been  cast  away  and  so  much  property  lost;  and,  liiul 
this  port  been  known  previously,  Your  Majesty  would  not  h:ue 
been  so  badly  served.  The  time  of  the  occurrence  of  the  dry 
seasons  being  known,  from  this  place  the  interior  can  be  reached 
and  explored,  such  exploration  promi.sing  rich  returns  ;  and  pro- 
ceeding along  the  coast,  the  remainder  of  it  can  be  examined,  (or, 
although  I  went  as  far  as  th*^  forty-secoiul  degree  of  latitude,  this 
being  the  limit  fixed  iti  my  instructions,  the  coast-llnv  trends 
onward  to  near  Ja])an  and  tiie  coa.st  of  Great  China,  which  are  but 
a  short  run  away,  and  the  same  is  the  case  with  regard  to  Tartar)' 
and  the  famous  city  of  Quins;iy;  and,  according  to  the  reports  I 
received,  there  are  to  be  found  very  numerous  peoples  akin  to 
those  I  have  referred  to — so  the  door  will  be  opened  for  tlie 
propagation  of  tlie  faith  and  tlie  bringing  of  so  many  souls  to  i. 
knowledge  of  God  in  order  that  the  seed  of  the  holy  gc-^pel  may 
yield  a  harvest  among  all  these  heathen. 

Elevc  n  months  were  spent  on  the  voyage,  during  which  nou- 
worthy  hardships  were  suffered;  and,  notwithstanding  the  un 
happy  experience  of  my  men,  who  were  all  sick  and  of  whom 
forty-two  died  before  our  return  to  the  port  of  Acapulco,   I   again 


offer  to  se 
on  the  V03 
given  acc< 
pared  do< 
turthermo 
spent  the 
little  of  th 
your  royal 
vassal  and 
neccssitief 
with  boon 
ordered  to 
panied  mt 
this  New  ^ 
Your  Maji 


S'  Cap"  D' 
Mayo,  q' 
Capitan.  r 
acompaiia 
siones,  inc 
patiaron 
del  official 
dhas  carta 

•I.  Vltciu 
in  tbln  letter  I 
lockfij.  At  tt 
uor  h8.(l  till- 
'Icsrrl  belt.  1( 
■•inployiiiBtil. 

6 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


bounding 
stile;  Ihey 
iierap  and 
jr   rabbits 

made,  in 
ide,  with 
formed  by 
ers  along 
:oa.st,  th.'.t 
ted   me  to 

us  ami  a 
age  of  Our 
sacrificf  ol 
of  whicli  I 
icquaiiUcd 
lul    in   tit 


offer  to  serve  Vour  Majesty  in  continuing  this  exploration,  as  I  did 
on  the  voyage  to  California  and  on  many  others,  of  which  I  have 
given  accouJit  to  your  royal  council  in  carefully  and  exactly  pre- 
pared documents  which  I  have  presented  there;  and  I  refer, 
furthermore,  to  others  now  forwarded,  in  which  it  is  shown  I  have 
spent  the  greater  part  of  my  fortune  and  of  n  "  health.  Yet  the 
I'.Ule  of  these  remaining  to  me,  as  well  is  my  pi. son.  is  devoted  to 
your  royal  service  with  the  constancy,  ove  and  fidelity  of  a  loyal 
vassal  and  servant  of  Vour  Majesty,  who,  I  pray,  will  order  the 
necessities  of  my  men  to  be  considered  ami  that  they  be  rewarded 
with  boons  from  those  powerful  royal  hands,  and  that  the  same  be 
ordered  to  be  done  for  the  naval  aufl  military  olTicers  w'm>  accom 
panied  me,  their  persons  being  recoinniended  to  your  V'iceroy  of 
this  New  Spain.  God  guard  the  royal  and  catholic  person  of 
Your  Majesty.      Mexico,  23d  of  May,  1603. 

Sebastian  Vizcaino.* 


pied,  n<'r.t 

For  tl  (.' 

urn  voya;^.' 

storm  1  e 
,  where  ?o 
;  and,  had 
1  not  have 
>f  the  dry 
je  reachtd 
;  atid  pro- 
nined,  (or, 
litude,  this 
in  '  trends 
icli  ire  hut 

tu  Tartan' 
!  reports  I 
es  akin  to 
led   fur  the 

souls  to  a 
jospel  may 

'hich  note 
g  the  uii 
I  of  whom 
:o,   I   again 


Document  No.  16. 


1 


V  JI18  M»  Ji)h 

Ivxcell'""  Seiior 

Vl  UV  ven*^"  Senor  mio  Kxc"!"  acabo  d'  escrivir  a  V.  E.  iargam" 
^  '  p' un  correo  q' por  Calilornia  despach6,  quatro  dias  ha,  el 
S'  Cap"  D"  Fernando  Rivera,  en  contestacion  dela  d*  V.  E.  d*  25  d* 
Mayo,  q'  en  6  d'  Agosto  por  el  mi.smo  conducto  y  mano  d'  dho  S' 
Capitan.  recibio  el  P.  Lecf  Fr.  Francisco  Palou,  q*  en  esta  me 
acompatia,  y  con  los  demas  assumptos  ocurrentes  en  estas  Mis- 
siones,  incluyendo  el  Diario  d'  uno  d'  los  dos  Religiosos  <j*  acom- 
panaron  la  exi)edicion  d'  jnar  enibiada  p'  V.  E.  baxo  el  coraando 
del  official  d'  mar  D"  Juan  Perez  El  motivo  de  haver  despachado 
dhas  cartas  y  papeles  por  un  conducto  q'  es  regular  q*  sea  d*  bast* 

l.  Vit.i'Hiiii)'ti  lotr^rti,Rt)ii(^rully.  ur«  (nil  of  extt^Kerateil  Hiatuiaonta  und  fattuhoodt ;  knd 
111  U)iH  lotttT  lit- KivuR  liiH  fancy  tt  HlHck  ruin.  We  Iciiiiw  that  Moiilvrey  Hay  la  not  land- 
Idokvl.  At  the  time  of  hU  vIMt  inanj'  nf  the  houstn  mid  pliiiiti>  \w  mentions  did  notexlat, 
nor  had  thi-y  ever  cxUtcd,  in  (iBllfonila  ;  nor  <ll(i  hu  mi'd  wltli  any  natives  such  aa  be 
'IcarribeM.  IIIn  object  in  thus  uxi'iciHliiK  hit  talent  for  roinai.i  iug  waa,  uf  couno.  (urttiar 
•'iiiployuieiit. 

6 


74 


Historical  Society  of  So^nthern  Calijornia. 


ante  demora,  fue  porq*  haviendo  llegado  en  27  del  vencido  Agotto 
a  este  puerto  la  dha  expedicion  d'  mar  en  la  fragata  Santiago  y  en 
ella  con  salud  los  dos  relig"  capt'llanes  (d  Dios  las  g')  nos  dixo  so 
capjtan  ser  su  aninio  detenerse  en  este  Puerto  hasta  mediddos  df 
Ootubre  y  entonces  (q*  ya  es  regular  q*  esten  aca  las  tainilias  q' 
D'  Fernando  espora)  pasar  al  reconocim*  del  Puerto  d'  S°  Krar 
CISCO  p*  la  fundacinii  d*  la  Missioji,  6  Missiones  q*  parescan  iieces 
sarias  p*  (j*  aquel  Puerto  quede  ocupado  segu"  las  ordenes  de  V.  E 
£•  intenciones  de  N.  Cath"*  Monarca  Y  liaviendo  d*  ser  assf,  d*  lo 
<l'  yo,  y  todos  estavanios  contentissimos,  parecio  el  unico  medin 
p*  dar  a  V.  H.  las  noticias  convenientes  el  despacharlas  p*  Calif 
ornia  Aliora  dt-spues  ha  tornado  nueva  determinacion  dho  I)"  Juan 
Perez  y  es  d'  salirse  con  la  fragata  d*  su  cargo  p*  S.  Bias  y  ahuq*  It 
hemos  rogado  niucho  el  P.  Palou  y  yo,  d*  q*  si  hare  dable,  r.e  estu- 
viese  en  su  prim*  determinacion.  p*  q'  d*  esta  ve/  quedase  evacuado 
lo  d'  S"  Francisco  se  nego  totalni'  diziendo  tener  varios  motives  p' 
no  detenerse  y  p'  elias  haver  resuelto  su  pronipta  salida.  Y  con- 
siderando  (j' jjfimero  llegara"estas  cartas  q*  a<juellas  voy  d  referir 
con  la  l)revedad  a  q'  me  ohliga  lo  repentino  d*  la  novicia  y  brev- 
edad  del  tiempo  algo  d' lo  antes  escrito.  Y  sea  lo  pjinic-ro  q*  el 
ganado  vacuno  d'  las  dos  Missiones  S°  Francisco,  y  Santa  Clara,  en 
vista  d'  la  dha  carta  d*  V.  K.  me  lo  remitio  per  nuevo  pedim*  el 
S'  Cap"  D"  Fernando  en  16  d'  Agosto  segu"  lo  ordenado  p'  la  Real 
Renta  y  p'  V.  K.  y  aqui  lo  tenemos  senalado  desde  dicho  dia  Di 
el  recibo  y  ya  nada  (jueda  <i'  ha/.er  en  tal  assumplo,  pues  lue  muy  a 
gusto  y  satisfaccion  d'  ambas  partes. 

Taml)ien  dezia  (f  el  otro  dia  d"  recibida  dha  carta  d*  V.  E.  pase 
con  ella  al  R'  Presidio  y  comuJii(jue  su  c<mtenido  al  S'  Capitan  p*si 
resolvia  q'"  se  diesse  algii"  passo  azia  el  Puertt)  d*  San  F'rancisco, 
pero  me  respondio  hallarse  sin  gente  y  aluin  sin  arnias  p*  eiiipresa 
alguna,  como  q*  ni  el  Cap"  Anza  dexo  sold"  silguno,  ni  han  llegado 
las  familias  La  lastima  es  d(j*  quando  las  tendremos  ya  no  habra 
barco,  y  que  reconozco  mucha  mayor  inclinacion  d  ocuparlos  en 
hazer  Presidio  nuevo  d  quatro  6  cinco  leguasd'  distancia  d'l  Puerto 
y  seys  d*  esta  Mission  q*  en  fundar  alguna  nueva  Mission.  A.ssuni- 
pto  es  sobre  que  iva  d  representar  por  escrito  d  V.  K.  hallandome 
en  essa  Ciudad,  (juando  supe  q'  el  nuevo  official  proponia  tal  dcni- 
anda,  pero  como  me  dixeron  <iue  no  .se  le  permitia  desaraparar  el 
Puerto,  ni  tal  translacion,  lo  dexe;  ahi  (j'  ya  me  arrepentf  despues, 
quando  en  Ouadal',  en  Tepic,  y  en  otras  partes  hallava  e.sparcida 
la  noticia  d*  q*  iva  el  nuevo  Cap"  a  mudar  el  Presidio,  como  .si  ello 
lues.se  el  principal  obji  to  d'  su  destino.     Ya  con  una  circunst'  nads 


me  pesari 

p'S.  Frai 

estaria  fa( 

d*  am  bos 

Misionerc 

uas  d'  dis 

quitar  los 

p'  lo  q*  tit 

p*  siendol 

d'  mi  Min 

V.  V,.  i.c\\\ 

abund'  de 

otro,  d  alj: 

E.  con  est 

■>v.   an  CO 

i-.iva  a 

tianos  con 

se  va"  biei 

barra  en  h 

demas  q'h 

esta  Miss" 

(1*  avas  y  i 

d'q*  i)arti( 

q'  ya  estd 

e.stuvo  var 

y  los  adeh 

Dios  g"  Ivn 

siembras  r 

resultas. 

Respect' 
aca  con  co 
escrivf  al 
las  cartas 
enfin  lo  hi 
los  d'  los 
<lespues. 
tare  lo  poi 
vio  ahora 
F)n  lo  (h 
en  Dios  ui 
iiovedad 
d'  D"  Ped! 


Documents  J'roni  the  Sutro  Collection. 


75 


me  pesaria,  y  es  q*  d  una  legua  mas  lexos  (supuesto  queescamino 
p*  S.  Fran")  pusiesimos  una  Mission  y  con  esto  el  nucvo  Presidio 
estaria  facil  y  exactam'  provehido  d'  paste  espiritual  y  los  Gentiles, 
d*  ambos  sexes  d*  aquellos  contornos,  se  haria"  feligrescs  de  los  PI* 
Misioneros  y  no  d'  los  Soldados.  Kstaria  la  tal  Miss"  a  sicte  leg- 
uas  d'  distancia  d*  esta  q'  no  es  poco  respecto  d'  occurrir  co"  ella  a 
qnitar  los  inconvenientes  (j*  concibo  d*  lo  contrario.  Si  no  fuesse 
p'  lo  q*  tiene  d'  respectivo  a  Misiones  no  habiara  en  tal  assnnij)to, 
p*  siendolo,  y  tanto,  no  me  parece  q*  voy  en  la  propuesta  fnera 
d'  mi  Ministerio  y  q*  siempre  en  aquello  nie  confonno  gustoso  d<j' 
V.  K.  tenga  p'  mas  conveniente.  I''s  dolor  p*  mi  (S'  Kxc"'")  verme 
abund*  de  Relig*  y  d*  viveres,  y  q*  no  se  de  un  paso,  por  un  lado  li 
otro,  d  algu"  nuevo  espiritual  laborio,  y  me  re/elara  d'  fatigar  d  V. 
E.  con  esta  mi  repetida  cantinela  si  no  estuviesse  ta"  seguro  d'  q' 
■an  tan  confornies  d  los  d'  V  \\  mis  anhelos. 

Dava  a  VK  tanibien  las  buenas  noticias  d'  q'  estos  iiuevos  cliris- 
tianos  con  el  exemplo  J'  algunos  peones  q'  he  logrado  d'  los  Rarcos 
se  va"  bien  aplicando  al  trabajo  con  el  azadon  en  la  niano  con  la 
barra  en  los  adobes,  en  la  pisca  6  coseclia  del  trigo  y  su  acarreo  y 
demas  q'hazeres  a  q*  se  les  aplica  y  (j*  este  ano  se  ha  levantado  en 
esta  Miss"  d'  cosecha  d  mas  d"  20  fan'  d*  cevada  125  d'  trigo,  algo 
d*  avas  y  mas  de  frijol  d  mas  del  continno  socorro  d' la  huerta, 
d*  q*  participa"  todos,  y  se  espera  una  razonable  cosecha  d"  maiz 
q'  ya  estd  muy  adel.intado  y  bueno,  y  d'  la  abund'  de  sardiiia  q* 
estuvo  varrando  en  la  playa  inun''  a  esta  Miss"  en  20  dias  con;inuos, 
y  los  adelantam*  espirituales  q'  cada  dia  vamos  experimentando  a 
Dios  g*  Kn  todas  las  Misiones  se  van  disponiendo  p"  el  ano  siguiente 
siembras  mayores,  y  espero  en  Dios  (j'  sea"  los  trabajos  c(»ii  felizes 
resultas. 

Respecto  d'l  Diario  q*  inclui  d  V  K.  de/la  <i*  no  nos  (juedavamos 
aca  con  copia  p*  remitarla  a  su  tiempo  d  nro  Colegio  y  lo  mismo 
escrivf  al  R.  P.  Guard"  d*  dho  Colegio  p't}'  quatido  conclui  y  firme 
las  cartas  hize  fixo  concepto  q*  no  liabria  lugar  p*  copiarlo  pero 
enfin  lo  huvo,  se  copio  d  toda  prisr..  Ahora  q*  no  dudo  ira"  d  V  E 
los  d'  los  Pilotos  lo  remilo  d  dho  R  P  Guard"  y  el  d'l  otro  Relig"  ira 
despues.  Ya  digo  al  R  P*  Guard"  q'  si  ve  no  obst*  los  otros  gus- 
tare  lo  ponga  prompt*  en  sus  manos,  q*  supuesto  lo  heclio  no  loen- 
vio  ahora  directani* 

En  lo  demas  me  rcmito  a  las  dhas  q'  alii  <i'  algo  mas  tarde  espero 
en  Dios  no  dexaran  d"  llegar  y  (j'  despues  d*  su  salida  no  hay  mas 
Hovedad  q*  el  embarcarse  los  volunt?  q*  se  quedaron  en  la  salida 
d*  D"  Pedro  Pages,  nienos  los  seys  p*  quiencs  pedi    las    liceiicins 


76  Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 

ant'  los  3  son  aca  casados  y  los  tres  esta°  proxinios  k  casarse  y 
ahu"  (1*  estos  he  ohido  q*  se  va  el  uno  Con  las  dhas  tambien  va 
carta  del  P  Palou  d  V  E.  q°  al  pre"  reproduce  sus  afectos  p  cor. 
V.  K  y  sus  preceptos.     Y  quedo  rogando  q* 

Dies  N  S'  g***  la  salud,  vida,  y  prosperidad  d"  V  E.  m'  a'  en  su 
S"  gracia.  I)e  esta  favorecida  d*'  V  IC  d*  S.  Carlos  de  Monte-Rey, 
y  Sept*  9  d'  1 774. 

Ivxcell""  vSenor 
Blnisd'  V  K  su  mas  aff"  y  rend'  S'»  y  Capella" 
que  le  venera  y  ama 
Fu.  JuNii'KRO  Sr-;KR.\ 
(hay  rubrica.) 


TRANSLATION. 


Hail  Jesus,  Mary  ami  Joseph 


My  greatly  venerated,  most  excellent  Sir  : 

Not  long  ago  I  wrote  at  length  to  Your  Excellency  by  a  courier 
whom  Cai>taiii  Don  I'ernando  Rivera,  four  days  since,  dispatched  for 
Call  lorn  ia,''  and  in  answer  to  the  letter  of  Your  Excellency  bearing 
date  25th  May,  which,  on  the  6th  August,  was  received  by  conduct 
and  hand  of  the  said  captain  l)y  Eather  Lector  Fray  Francisco 
Palon,'  who  is  my  companion  here.  In  that  letter  I  gave  an 
account  of  further  events  at  these  missions,  and  with  it  sent  the 
diary  (»l  one  of  the  two  religious  who  acompained  the  naval  expe 
dition  dispatched  by  Your  I^xcellency  under  the  command  of  Don 
Juan    Perez,  an  officer  of  the  navy.     The  reason  for  sending  said 

1.  Tlii."  I)-  the  Mihtiiiiiury  i'lvtiriitinii  |>!ii<'i'il  Ht  thf  iM-cliinitiR  of  mII  do<'iiinrnt<  aiil 
li'ttiTi  \m1Hi-ii  liy  .'>|)aIli^)l  frirt's  of  tin'  order  (if  St.  Fraru'.H  l.itiTullv  it  uu'aiiH  "I.i* 
JinUK,  Mnr>,Jo»i'|  li  !  " 

•J.     Mi'iiiiiiii;  I.oMer  ('aHfiiriiiH. 

:i.  KhiIu  r>  Srrru  and  I'Mii'ii  Imil  l>c<  ii  iiuniitis  of  tlir  Nanio  rul 'AioiiM  hoiiRe  at  I.a  t'Mim*. 
ill  tlu-  islaiul  0?  MalUirca,  wlicrt  ilie  ftirmiT  h  h:.  iiorii.  Tliiiy  I'amn  to  AnicricH  tr^nthoi  it 
ITIti,  Hiiil,  twenty  yi'urn  IhUt.  to  I'liliforniii.  Katlior  I'hIoii  Hurvlved  liin  r»in|>Kiiion  and 
tlirei  vearc  lifter  Hvrrii'n  ilcHl!!.  in  17^7,  jiuIiIIhIu'iI  a  t>io>,'ral'liy  <'f  him,  which  may  he  k 
xanleil  HH  tin  eariieht  ralilciniiHii  hinik.  ii1IIio\ikIi  It  v/iin  priiiteil  r.t  fliv  City  of  Mexico.  A:. 
Kiiw:!"!!  lra!l^lntioll  of  tliid  life  ni' ."^irri.  wai»  iiiiiile  li)  ,i  (liKtinKUiBliiMl  nioniSier  of  thi"  Klitiir 
ieal  .«iii'lely  of  Soiitl.urii  raPfori.ia,  ihi-  Vi'iy  Kev  J  Ailnm,  VIrar-tieiieral  of  tbe  itiui me  > 
l.on  .\iitiiliK,  »;id  V.U*  |\tl!;>'it>i|  lu  1'.'<4,  iit  fiie  tiiiio  nf  the  cetilemiial  eominemoritiou  "' 
."^*'m''«  deiiMi. 


Documents  /roiM  the  Sutro  Collect  ion. 


77 


casarse  y 
mbien  va 
3S  p    cor. 

a'  en   su 
onte-Rey, 


)'  A  courier 

)atched  for 

cy  bearing 

)y  conduct 

Francisco 

gave   an 

sent  the 

aval  expe 

nd  of  Don 

iiding  said 

ociimi'iitf"  »ii' 
nu'ttiiH    "i.n 


1  at  I,*  ralnn. 

icH  tlrfolllO!  I! 

ini'Ktiion  Hi.il 
h  may  t)«  k 
i{  Mexico.  All 
r  of  the  HIitor 
[  tbe  <tiori'»e') 
momiirati'ii)  "' 


letter  and  document  by  a  conduct  usually  rather  tardy  was  this  : 
The  naval  expedition  having  arrived  at  this  port  on  the  27th  ot 
August  last,  in  the  ship  Santiago*  and  on  board  of  her  in 
safety  the  two  chaplains  (  God  be  thanked  !),  lier  captain 
informed  us  that  he  had  a  mind  to  remain  at  this  port  until  the 
middle  of  October,  by  which  time  it  is  probable  that  the  families 
expected  by  Don  Fernando '  will  be  .lere,  and  then  to  make  the 
exploration  of  the  port  of  San  Franci.sco,  with  a  view  to  the  found- 
ing of  the  mission,  or  missions,  which  may  seem  necessary,  in 
order  that  the  region  about  that  port  be  occupied  in  accordance 
with  the  orders  of  Your  Excellency  and  the  intention  of  our 
catholic  monarch.  And  it  having  so  to  be — with  which  circum 
.>;tance  I  and  all  were  very  content — it  .seemed  that  the  only  way 
of  giving  desired  information  to  Your  Excellency  consisted  in 
sending  it  by  way  of  California.  Since  then  Don  Juan  Perez  has 
come  to  a  new  determination — that  is,  to  sail  for  San  Hlas  with  the 
sliip  under  his  command;  and,  although  Father  Palou  and  myself 
have  besought  him  earnestlj'  that,  were  it  possible,  he  adhere  to 
his  prior  determination,  in  order  that  the  matter  of  the  occupation 
of  San  Francisco  might  be  attended  to  at  thi.s  time,  he  has  utterly 
refused  so  to  do,  saying  that  he  has  many  reasons  for  not  delay 
ing  and  for  resolving  on  a  .speedy  departure  And,  considering 
that  this  letter  will  reach  you  before  the  arrival  of  those  already 
>ent,  I  proceed  to  relate,  with  tlie  brevity  made  necessary  by  this 
sudden  notice  and  the  little  time  remaining  in  which  to  do  so,  some 
portions  of  that  which  has  been  written  already.  And,  first  :  As 
to  the  neat  cattle  for  the  two  missions  of  San  Franci.sco  and  .Santa 
Clara.  Mindful  of  the  directions  contained  in  the  said  letter  of 
Your  Excellency,  Captain  Don  Fernando  turned  the  cattle  over  to 
nie  on  the  i6th  of  August,  on  tny  renewed  demand,  in  accordance 
.vith  the  di.^position  of  the  royal  exchequer  and  the  orders  of  Your 
Hxcellency;  and.  since  that  day,  we  have  kept  it  set  apart  here. 
I  gave  a  receipt,  and  now  nothing  remains  to  be  done  in  that 
matter,  which  was  arranged  very  much  to  the  liking  and  satisfac- 
tion of  both  parties. 

I  wrote,  also,  that,  on  the  day  after  recei\  ing  the  said  letter  of 
Your  Excellency  taking  it  with  me  to  the  royal  presidio,  I  commu- 
nicated its  contents  to  the  Captain,  for  the  purpose  of  learning 
whether  he  would  resolve  to  do  anythi'.ig  in  the  matter  of  the   port 

4.  The  Sii'iiia^o  waa  bnilt  cxiirefisly  for  t)iu  aervicf  of  the  CalKuruiaii  iiiiMioua  ami 
WM  iimhI  a«  a  trniiflpon 

'.    Cajitiidi  Dun  J*'*— miU'lo  Klvera.v  Muucaila. 


78 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


of  San  Francisco.     But  he  replied  to  my  request  that   he  found 
himself    wi;hout   men,  or   even   arms,    for   any   undertaking,   as 
Captain  Anza    had  not  left  him  a  single  soldier  and  the  families  had 
not  arrived.     It  is  a  pity  that  when  we  do  have  them  here  then 
there  will  be  no  ve.ssel   available;  and  I  recognize  a  far  greater 
inclination  to  employ  them  in  establishing  a  new  presidio,  at  a  dis- 
tance of   four   or  five   leagues  from  the   port   and  six  from  thi.s 
mission,  ratber  than  in  founding  any  new  mission.    This  is  a  matter 
concerning  which  I  was  about  to  present  to  Your  Excellency  a  writ- 
ten memorial,  at  the  time  I  was  in  that  city,'  when  I  learned  that  the 
new  ofiiciar  proposed  making  such  a  demand;  but,  as  I  was  told  that 
any  failure  to  protect  the  port  would  not  be  allowed,  nor  any  such 
change  of  plan,  I  abandoned  that  design.    Yet  I  afterwards  repented 
of  this,  when  in  Guadalaxara,  Tepic,  and  other  places,  I  found  that 
tidings   had  gone  abroad  to  the  effect  that  the  new  captain  was 
about  to  move  the  presidio — as  though  this  were  the  principal  object 
of  his  appointment.     Still,  for  one  reason  this  would  not  grieve 
me,  and  that  is  because  at  the  distance  of  a  league  farther — on  the 
road  to  San   Francisco,  be  it  understood — we  might  plant  a  new 
nii.ssion;  and  in  this  way  the  new  presidio  would  be  easily  and  in 
a   perfectly  fitting   way   provided    with   spiritual   food,   and  the 
heathen  of  both  sexes  of  those  parts  would  become  parishioners  of 
the  missionary  fathers    and  not  of  the  soldiers.      Such   mission 
would  be  at  a  distance  of  seven  leagues  from  this  one — which  is 
not  a  matter  of  slight  importance  when  it  is  considered  that  such 
an  establishment  would  be  likely  to  be  of  service  in  the  prevention 
of  disadvantages  which  I  fancy  might  arise  from  a  different  condi- 
tion of  things.     Were  it  not  a  matter  connected  with  the  missions  I 
would  not  ha.sten  its  execution;  but,  being  such,  and  to  so  great  a 
degree,    it   does   not   seem   to   me  that  in  this   proposition   I  am 
advocating  anything  not  within  the  .scope  of  my  clerical  functions. 
And  in  this  matter  I  conform  to  what  Your   E.xcellency  may  con- 
sider uuKst  fitting.      It  is  a  grievous  thing  for  me.  Most  Excellent 
Sir,  to  find  myself  well  provided  with  religious  and  with  provisions, 
while  no  steps  are  taken,  in  one  way  or  another,  towards  some 
new  spiritual    labor;  and  I  should  fear  to  fatigue  Your  Excellency 
with  tliis  my  oft-repeated   importunity    were  I  not  sure  that  my 
desires  are  so  much  in  accord  with  those  of  Your  Excellency. 

(1.    .liiHii  HimtislH  Aiizn  \v«8  a  very  inuritoriong  officer  of  eiiKiuuiTii  of  the  Siiaiiish  army 
M  hi"  fiitluT  had  been   also       lit.  the  yotiiiK»-"r   AiizH.  {•ommandi'd  the  expedition  sent  to  I 
/•xiilori'  tlif  iioiiiiiMula  of  Sim  Krrtiicisco,  Hrid  tho  tirst  inimiKriitil  (."xpwlition  whirh  came  tf 
<'*iil'oriiiH  l)v  IhiuI  from  ciistward  oithc  Coloriido  rivi-r.  | 

7.    Tlip  Cltv  of  Mc.Tico. 

t>.    (.'iii.fain  KcriiHtiilo  llivera  y  MouchiIh. 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


79 


he  found 
aking,   as 
nilies  had 
here  then 
ar  greater 
>,  at  a  dis- 
from  this 
is  a  matter 
ncy  a  writ 
:ci  that  the 
s  told  that 
any  such 
s  repented 
found  that 
iptain  was 
ipal  object 
not  grieve 
er — on  the 
ant  a  new 
|ily  and  in 
and  the 
shioners  of 
:h   mission 
— which  is 
that  such 
prevention 
ent  condi- 
missions  I 
I  so  great  a 
tion   I  am 
functions, 
may  con- 
Excellent 
provisions, 
'ards  some 
Kxcellency 
e  that  my 
sncy. 

r^paniBh  army 
■ditina  sent  to 
I'hirli  came  to 


I  gave  to  Your  Excellency,  also,  the  agreeable  tidings  that  these 
new  christians,  following  the  example  set  by  some  of  the  crews  of  the 
vessels  whose  services  I  managed  to  secure,  re  learning  how  to 
apply  themselves  to  labor,  hoe  in  hand  and  with  the  bar  in 
making  adobes,  in  harvesting  the  maize  and  the  wheat  and  in  cart- 
ing these  crops,  as  well  as  in  other  work  in  which  they  take  part. 
I  reported,  also,  that  this  year  there  have  been  harvested  at  this 
mission,  in  addition  to  \.^^x\\.y  fanegas  *  of  barley,  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  of  wheat,  together  with  some  horse-beans  and  a  greater 
quantity  of  kidney-beans,"  and  continuous  crops  from  the  vegetable 
garden — in  the  consumption  of  whicli  all  share.  There  is  reason 
for  expecting  a  fair  return  from  the  maize  .sown,  and  it  is  now 
well-grown  and  in  good  condition,  and  there  will  be  obtained  a 
goodly  number  of  fish  from  the  abundance  of  sardines  which,  for 
twenty  consecutive  days,  have  been  spawning  along  the  beach 
near  this  mission,"  and  a  reasonable  harvest  from  the  spiritual 
advancement  we  are  experiencing  each  day — thanks  be  to  God  ! 
At  all  the  missions  preparations  are  making  for  more  extensive 
sowings  in  the  coming  year,  and  I  trust  in  God  that  a  happy 
outcome  may  attend  the  work. 

Concerning  the  diary  that  I  remitted  to  Your  Excellency,  I  said 
that  no  copy  remained  here  for  tnnsmission  to  our  college  "  at  a 
suitable  time,  and  to  that  effect  I  wrote  to  the  Reverend  Father 
Guardian  of  said  college,  because,  when  I  had  finished  and  signed 
the  letter,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  time  to  copy  it  was  want- 
ing; but,  as  it  fell  out,  there  was  time,  and  it  was  copied  in  great 
haste.  Now  that  I  doubt  not  those  of  the  navigating  officers  will 
be  .sent   to   Your   Excellency,  I  remit   it  to  the  Reverend   Father 

9.  The  /anei/a  was  not  always  thf  same  meHsure,  eveu  In  Spain,  where  the  Janega  of 
one  provinne  wrr  not  that  of  some  other  province.  At  the  respeetive  mlNsions  uf  (;allforala 
rhe  miHHionary  whose  duty  It  wan  to  superintend  the  labors  of  Ihu  farm  appcHra  to  have 
kept  hia  atrconnta  of  thcsowinBS  and  yield  of  wheat,  and  the  like,  \utanf.na»  of  that  part  of 
Spain  where  he  was  bom  and  bred.  Tho  fanma  inuy  bo  taken  aa  equivalent  to  from  two  to 
two  and  one  uuarter  liertoHtrea  and  may  be  calculated  a*  equal  to  abnut  one  and  one  quar- 
tor  of  our  buanela  The  equivalent  fciveu  for  a.fancga  in  the  books  published  by  .Vtr.  If.  H. 
Bancroft  la  not  correctly  calculated. 

10.  I  trnuslate  ftafta  (written  nva  by  Father  Seira)  by  home-btati,  aud  Jrijnl  by  kidnfy- 
bean.  The  AaAois  Ihe/obaof  the  Romans— in  many  UpauiHh  words  the  letter  "h"  replacing 
the  l.atln  "  f  "—and  was  abroad  beau.  In  Spanish-America  the  haba  may  have  been  either 
the  beau  known  in  Spain,  or  of  the  Tariety  called  botanically  canvalin,  indinenous  to  the 
island  of  Jamaica,  aud,  perhaps,  other  parts  of  America.  What  we  call  the  "Mma  bean"  la 
probably  of  this  variety.  The  word  frtjol—or  frfjol—ls  of  American  origin.  Whether  the 
Dean  ao  called  wiia  els-Atlantic  In  ita  ori|;in,  or  the  jnriia  of  Spain  (th«  phnsccluK  of  the 
Komana,  aud  kidncy-beaii  among  KuKllHb-KpcHkinK  people)  can  not  be  detertiilned.  Nor  is 
it  known  in  what  part  of  .Spanish-America  the  word  frijol  orlgi-aatcd  ;  now,  at  least,  it  is 
uommon  from  California  to  Cape  Horn,  and  is  used  toaixnify  sny  kidney-shaped  bean.  lu 
.'M)\:the;:n  Mexico  the  frijol  is  a  small  black  bean  :  in  I'aliforuia  it  is  a  larger  l)ean  of  a  light 
nhocolatc  color,  and  even  the  abimdnnt  small  white  Iwan  la  called  by  that  nume. 

11.  It  ia  Impossible  to  tell  exactly  what  fish  ia  meant  by  nardina.  lis  Spanish-America, 
an  Id  Spain,  this  name  la  Riven  to  many  different  fish— to  the  sardine,  the  herring,  the  shad, 
and  otners.  Patlicr  Serra  here  uses  the  word  varando  fur  barrando,  an  older  form  of  embar- 
roado,  meaning  soven'n(7  uUn  mud. 

12.  This  was  the  college  of  8aa  Fernando  de  Mexico,  beadqiiarter'i  of  the  KraudiCMt 
f»l»r»  of  the  vice-royalty  of  Hew  Spain.    The  he*  I  of  the  homte  was  called  the  gvaniian. 


* 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


Guardian;  that  of  the  other  religious  will  go  later.  I  tell  the 
Reverend  Father  Guardian  that,  if  he  conclude,  notwithstanding, 
that  the  others  might  be  delayed  on  the  way,  he  should  place  it 
promptly  in  your  hands — the  reason  why  I  do  not  send  it  directly 
being  understood. 

For  the  rest  I  refer  to  my  said  letters,  which,  I  trust  in  God,  will 
not  fail  to  reach  your  hands  somewhat  later.  Since  dispatching 
them  nothing  noteworthy  has  happened,  other  than  that  the  voluu 
teers  "  who  remained  here  at  the  time  Don  Pedro  Fages  left  have 
taken  passage  in  the  ship,  excepting  the  six  who.se  leaves  of 
absence  I  asked  for,  and  of  whom  three  have  married  here  while 
the  others  are  about  to  marry  '*  — although  one  of  tlieni,  I  hear, 
is  going  away  too.  With  this  letter  there  goes,  al.so,  to  Your 
Excellency  one  of  Father  Palou,  who  sends  again  his  affectionate 
regards  to  Your  Kxcellency  and  the  assurance  of  his  prayers  for 
you.  And  I  continue  praying  that  God  our  Lord  guard  the 
health,  life  and  prosperity  of  Your  Kxcellency  for  many  years  in 
his  holy  grace.  From  this  mission  favored  by  Your  Kxcellency 
of  San  Carlos  de   Monterey,  Sept.  9,  1774.'" 

Most   Kxcellent   .Sir: — Your  most  affectionate  and  humble 
servant  and  chaplain,  who  venerates  and  loves  you,  kisses 
,         the  hands  of  Your  Kxcellency. 

FkAY  JuNIPKKO  SlvKR.\. 

(a  rubrica.^ 

13.  The  tirHt  RoUliers  sent  to  CHli/ornla  ^vcru  dutiiili^d  lor  tUesurvici!  troin  tliu  rcjiiiiiciit 
nailed  "Vuluutariok  <lo  Catulufiii,"  a  corps  rHinfil  iu  the  S])Huish  prdviiict!  i)f  tliat  iimidi.'. 
When  the  retjirnpnt  cumc  from  ."^paiii  the  men.  an  wi>il  bb  Die  otHrers,  wore  of  whlfo  Spaois)i 
birth  ;  after  mnny  yenrH'  .scrviiM-  in  New  Spimi  tho  rank  ami  llle  had  come  to  be  eoraposcd 
of  men  of  mixed  race.  This  is  true  ulsoof  all  the  IroojiB  sent  to  Califoniltt  by  the  vice-royal 
government, 

U,  Iu  these  early  dayH  no  soldier,  other  than  a  commissionod  oOleer  wlioea-ne  tol  alii- 
ornla  a  bachelor  was  allowed  to  remain  for  ii  very  loiifj  time  in  ii  state  oi  si\)>;le  ble»»criue«s: 
•H  a  rule,  the  new  eotiier  was  married  ont  of  hand  to  some  neophyte  of  the  niissiouR.  Ver> 
many  of  the  men  who  at  a  later  day  floured  iu  t'aliforuiau  afTalrs  wt""e  »ous  and  Kraiidwiis 
of  native  ludiau  woiniiii. 

l.").  This  letter,  as  wit  as  that  which  follows,  was  written  to  the  forfy-sl  xth  viceroy  of 
New  Spain,  who  wii.s— not  to  curtail  his  name  and  titles— His  Expelleney  the  Hailio  Fffy 
Don  Antonio  Maria  Hnciirell  y  I'rsrta  Henestrosa  liasHO  de  la  Vega  ViUaeis  y  C6rdobfl, 
Knight-l^oiumander  of  la  f;6vedado  Toro  iu  the  Military  Order  of  St.  John  of  rlalto  .  l.leii 
tenant'(!>!ueral  of  the  Royal  Annies  of  .Spain.  Later  he  became.  In  addition  to  all  this,  a 
K«utleman  of  the  royal  hcdchamber  Of  these  two  letters  I  fail  to  And  any  m,>ntion  in  ttie 
works  published  by  Mr,  H.  H.  Bancroft.  I  may  be  allowed  to  suggest,  in  this  conneetion, 
that,  consid'>rln;{  (lie  nnmber  of  letters  which  must  have  been  written  by  a  pregtueut  of 
mUsious  80  active  and  ze.ilons  as  PrcHldent  Scrra,  it  is  rather  aatonighin,;:  that  Mr.  Ban- 
croft's wrlter>  saw  go  few  of  them.  President  Herra's  nianuserlpt  is  very  leKible,  ns  may  b« 
judRed  by  the  fae-similc  of  docuincut  No.  16,  pnblished  a.?  n  frontispiece  to  tliis  volume. 
The  abbrevlHtioiis  he  inakes  iif  e  of  are  common  to  Spanish  manuscripts  of  his  time.  His 
■pellinK  is  pe<aillar  at  t:tn>-8.  and  oceasionally  he  makes  use  of  an  archaic  word  or  a  pa>viii- 
Ciallsm  rather  tliau  the  idiounitic  leiigiia  CanleUana  of  the  eixhtcenth  century. 


'^1  e.ste  r 
salido  ya  p 
el  Diario  d 
V.  E.  supo 
Comp"  el  P 
perdonar  U 
todos  tener 
especialm' 
rado  Instit! 
especial  q* 
to  venero,  ; 

Dios  N. 
tan  favorec 
d'  1774. 


Documents  frotn  the  Sutro  Collection. 


81 


Document  No.  17. 

( 'fhe/rondspiece  is  a/ac-similc  o/this  document.) 


t 


V»Jhs.  M»Jph 


Kxcell""  Senor 


M  UY  Ven''"  S'  mio  Ex"".  L,a  nueva  deteiicioii  de  la  frag*  en 
''''  este  Puerto  con  ocasion  d"  su  arribada  a  pocos  dias  d'  haver 
salido  ya  p'  el  d*  S"  Bias,  ha  dado  tiempo  p'  q*  so  sacasse  en  litnpio 
el  Diario  del  P.  P'  Fr.  Juan  Crespi,  el  q'  remito  en  esta  ocasion  a 
V.  E.  suponiendo  le  tengo  ya  remitido  y  p'  duplicado  el  d*  su 
Comp"  el  P.  P'  Fr.  Thomas  d'  la  Pena.  V.  E.  se  sirva  p'  Dios  de 
perdonar  los  defectos  assegurandose  d*  la  buena  voluntad  q*  yo  y 
todos  tenenios  d  servir  d  V.  E  y  d  N.  Soberano  q  Dios  guarde 
tspecialm'  en  Assumptos  d*  esta  naturaleza  tan  proprios  d'  N.  Sag- 
rado  Institute  y  porque  desde  las  ult*  cartas  no  se  ofrece  novedad 
especial  q*  noticiar  a  V.  E.  y  q'  me  rezelo  no  ser  molesto,  d  q'  tau- 
tovenero,  y  estimo,  solo  anadoel 

Dios  N.  S'  G*'  a  V.  E.  m?  a"  con  salud,  y  su  S'"  gracia.     De  esta 
tan  favorecida  d   V.  E.  Mission  de  S.  Carlos  de  Monte  Key  Octb  7 

<!'  1774- 

Excell'""  vSenor 
Blmosde  V.  E.  su  mas  aff°  y  rend" 
Siervoy  Capellan 

Fr.  JUNIPERO  Shrra 
(hay  rubrica) 


82 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


TRANSLATION. 


t 


Hail  Jesus,  Mary  and  Joseph  ! 

Most  Excellent  Sir. 

My  ('. really  Venerated,  Most  Excellent  Sir  : 

The  new  detention  of  the  ship  at  this  port,  consequent  on  her 
return  a  few  days  after  her  departure  for  San  Bias,  has  been  the 
means  of  there  being  time  for  making  a  clean  copy  of  the  diary  oi 
Father  Preacher  Fray  Juan  Crespi,'  which  I  take  occasion  to  send 
to  Your  Excellency,  it  being  understood  that  I  have  already  sent, 
in  duplicate,  that  of  his  companion,  Father  Preacher  Fray  Thomas 
de  la  Petia.  May  Your  Excellency  be  pleased,  for  God's  sake, 
to  pardon  its  defects,  resting  assured  of  the  good  will  I  and  all 
have  in  serving  Your  Excellency  and  our  sovereign — whom  God 
guard — especially  in  matters  of  this  kind  so  fitting  for  our  holy 
institute.  And  inasmuch  as,  since  the  date  of  said  letters,  there  is 
no  special  new  occurrence  of  which  to  advise  Your  Excellency 
and  because  I  fear  lest  I  might  molest  one  I  so  venerate  and 
esteem,  I  will  add  only  :  May  God  our  Lord  guard  Your  Excel 
lency  many  years  in  health  and  in  his  holy  grace.  From  this  mis 
sion,  .so  favored  by  Your  Excellency,  of  San  Carlos  de  Monterey 
October  7,  1774. 

Most  Excellent  Sir  : — Your  most  affectionate  and  humble 
.servant  and  chaplain  kisses  the  hands  of  Your  Excel 
lency. 

Fray  Junipero  Serra, 
(a  rubrica.) 


).  In  the //Mtorvo/(Ae /'ac-/(ic  .statin  pttbliMhod  by  Mr.  H.  H.  Bancroft  SpanlRh  wordi. 
orpe(tially  patronymicN,  have  been  auceuted.  or  the  noceasary  accent  has  been  oniitt<4 
Irom  them,  without  authority.  One  of  the  naineH  accented  Improperly  by  Mr.  RancrofO 
writerR  la  that  of  Father  Juan  Crespi,  the  name  beinx  Riven  as  Creapi.  That  he  did  not  w 
write  his  naino  in  shown  by  his  siKnatnre  to  his  dinry,  No.  19  of  the  documenta  published 
in  this  colUM^tion.  To  the  casual  observer  it  might  seem  that  Preaident  Serra  put  an  accent 
on  the  final  syllnlilc  of  the  name  of  his  companion— the  friend  by  wboae  side  he  reqneated 
that  his  own  body  mlKht  be  laid— and  It  Is  quite  possible  that,  in  this  case  m  in  man; 
others,  Mr.  Bancroft's  writers  jumped  at  a  conclusion.  In  the  President's  manuscripi 
vather  Crcspi's  name  scums  to  be  accented,  but  a  Hlmilar  mark  appears  over  the  letter  "1' 
in  the  words  "  detencion, "  "  dia,  '  "  limpio, "  "  Diofl, "  "  servir, ''  '•  gracia. "  In  no  one  of 
il>«««  words  should  the  -'  i "  be  accented. 

2.  This  is  tlie  letter  of  which  a  fac-aimlle  is  published  as  the  frontispiece  to  this  book. 
Ttie  lar'-simlle  was  made  from  that  Riven  to  the  Society  by  Mr.  Sutro.     In  order  to  prweU 


DIARIC 
Serra, 
de  Monte-1 
dafide  de  £ 
Puerto  de 
nia  setentr 
la  Fragata 
Galicia,  m 
gata,  prim 
San  Bias, 
del  Excele 
ha  de  hac( 
dicho  Pue 
al  Norte,  < 
en  compat 
Apostolicc 
de  Monte- 
Viva  Je 
tinado  el  '. 
Rey  Fray 
dor  Apost 
de  la  Ciuc 
Juan  Cres 
encargo  d 
en  tierra, 
Dia  6 
Mission  d 
del  Presic 
cinco  de  1 
vinimos  a 

the  letter  on 
by  the  skill  c 
reproduced  f 
of  the  Hutro  I 
means  of  wh 
bim  of  the  re 
President  8ei 
band-writlni 
It  can  not  be 
to  t/ie  public 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


83 


Document  No.  18. 


iiit  on  her 
IS  been  the 
;he  diary  oi 
ion  to  send 
ready  sent, 
ay  Thomas 
iod's  sake, 
11  I  and  all 
-whom  God 
or  our  holy 
ers,  there  is 
Excellency 
nierate  and 
our  Excel- 
m  this  mis- 
i  Monterey, 

ind  humble 
"■our  Excel 

Serra, 
) 

SpanlHh  worda, 
18  b«eu  omittf<l 
Mr.  Bancroft'* 
it  he  did  not  no 
lents  published 
"a  put  an  accent 
ide  be  requested 
alio  as  in  man; 
nt'B  manuKripi 
irthe  letter"!' 
.. "   In  no  one  ol 

ece  to  thii  book 
order  to  preMDi 


PvIARIO  del  viaje  que  por  mandado  del  Padre  Fray  Junfpero 
*-^  Serra,  Predicador  Apost61ico  y  Presidente  de  estas  Misiones 
de  Monte-Rey,  del  cargo  de  nuestro  santo  colegio  de  Propagan- 
dafide  de  San  Fernando  de  la  ciudad  de  Mexico  hago  desde  este 
Puerto  de  San  Carlos  de  Monte-Rey  sito  en  la  costa  de  la  Califor- 
nia setentrional  en  36  grados  y  30  tninutos  de  Latitud  al  Norte  en 
la  Fragata  de  Su  Magestad  nombrada  Santiago,  alias  la  Nueva 
Galicia,  raandada  por  Don  Juan  Perez  Alfere/  graduado  de  Fra 
gata,  primer  Piloto  de  los  del  numero  en  el  Real  Departamento  de 
San  Bias,  y  Capitan  Comandante  de  la  expedicion  que  por  6rden 
del  ExcelentisimoSenor  Don  Frey  Antonio  Maria  Bucareli  y  Orsua, 
ha  de  hacer  en  dicha  F'ragata  d  fin  de  reconocer  la  costa  desde 
dicho  Puerto  de  Monte-Rey  hasta  la  altura  de  60  grados  de  Latitud 
al  Norte,  comen/.ando  dia  6  de  Junio  de  1774,  en  que  me  embarqu^ 
en  compatiia  del  Reverendo  Padre  Fray  Juan  Crespi,  Predicador 
Apostolico  de  dicho  Colegio  y  Ministro  de  la  mision  de  San  Carlos 
de  Monte-Rey,  vulgo  del  Carmelo. 

Viva  Jesus  Maria  y  Joseph  :  Junio  de  1774.  Habiendome  des- 
tinado  el  Reverendo  Padre  Presidente  de  estas  Misiones  de  Monte 
Rey  Fray  Junipero  Serra  Comisionado  del  Santo  oficio  y  Predica- 
dor Apostolico  de  Propanganda  fide  del  Colegio  de  San  Fernando 
de  la  Ciudad  de  Mexico  para  acompanar  al  Reverendo  Padre  Fray 
Juan  Crespi  Predicador  Apostolico  de  dicho  Colegio,  que  va  con  el 
encargo  de  observar  la  altura  del  Norte,  cuando  se  verifique  saltar 
en  tierra,  durante  el  viage  de  la  expedicion  : 

Dia  6  de  Junio,  como  a  las  cuatro  de  la  tarde.  salinios  de  la 
Mission  de  San  Carlos  de  Monte-Rey,  que  dista  como  una  legua 
del  Presidio  y  Puerto  de  Monte-Rey,  al  que  Uegamos  como  a  \vA 
cinco  de  la  tarde  y  habiendonos  despedido  de  los  senores  capitanes, 
vinimos  d  bordo  acompanandonos  dicho  Padre  Presidente  hasta  la 

the  letter  on  a  sinRle  page  of  this  publication  it  has  beon  reduced  bv  about  onMhlrd,  antf 
by  the  skill  of  the  printer  tbe  color  to  which  the  Ink  of  the  oriRinui  Iihs  faded  ban  bn«u 
reproduced  fnithfully.  In  continuation  are  reproduced  a  fHCHimile  of  the  antbenUcatioD 
of  the  riutro  fac-simile  by  the  archivist  of  the  collection  at  Seville,  and  the  royal  permit  by 
meann  of  which  this  was  obtained,  together  with  an  official  letter  to  Mr.  Sutro  inforrainK 
bim  of  the  royal  permisdion.  It  is  confidently  believed  that  this  \»  the  flrat  fac-simile  of 
Preaident  Serra'R  manusc-ipt  ever  published,  and  It  is  thought  that  a  reproduction  of  the 
band' writing  of  the  founder  of  California  muse  be  of  eRiiecial  interest  to(.'aliforniaaso''hUe 
it  can  not  be  otherwise  than  plenslug  to  students  of  the  history  of  our  commouvvealth  and 
to  t/ie  public  in  general. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


;:  llllitt 

'■'     iill|3L6 


12.2 


1.4 


2.0 


1.8 


1.6 


Photograpllic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


s 


W, 


i/i 


I» 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


playa,  en  donde  no'i  dinios  el  iiltimo  ahrazo  y  despedida  ;  ul  pon- 
erse  el  sol  llegamos  a  bordo  y  habiendo  ceiiado  la  gente  de  la 
tripulacion  embarcaron  ctiatro  toretes  y  algmios  cerdos,  que  el  S"- 
capital!  comandante  del  presidio  regalo  para  el  rancho  de  la  cam- 
ara.     Esta  noche  se  levaroii  las  anclas. 

Dia  7  por  la  manaiia  con  una  espia  por  la  proa  sacaron  el  barco 
del  fondeadero  y  lo  arrimaron  a  un  yerbajal.  que  esta  junto  a  la 
Punta  de  Pinos,  y  distante  de  dicho  fondeadero  conio  un  tiro  de 
fusil.  Esta  maiiana  soplo  el  N.  O.,  como  a  las  9  de  la  maiiana  se 
levo  la  ultima  ancla,  que  habia  servido  de  espia  y  se  alargaron 
velas,  y  habiendo  hecho  la  ceremonia  de  hisar  vandera  espaiiola 
con  un  canonazo,  dinios  dos  6  tres  bordos  para  fuera  y  refrescando 
el  N.  O.  se  volvi6  a  dar  fondo  ;  coino  a  las  doce  y  media  de  la  tarde 
poco  !nas  d  fuera  de  donde  habia  estado  anclado  para  el  desembar- 
que  de  la  carga.  Todo  este  dia  soplo  el  N.  O.  algo  fresco.  Por 
la  noche  se  enfermo  el  Contra-Maestre. 

Dia  8  amanecio  con  el  mismo  viento  del  dia  antecedente  y  se 
mantuvo  todo  el.  Como  a  la  una  de  la  tarde  se  diviso  el  Pacabot 
San  ^.ntonio,  alias  el  Principe,  el  cual  dio  fondo  como  a  las  tres. 

Dia  9  nos  mantuvimos  fondeados  por  falta  de  viento  favorable. 
Este  dia  como  a  las  9  de  la  manana,  fuinics  a  dar  un  pa.seo  al  Real 
el  seiior  capitan  Don  I^steban  y  los  dos  Padres,  y  alii  encontramos 
al  Padre  Presidente,  al  Padre  Fray  Francisco  Palou  y  al  Padre 
Fray  Jo.seph  de  Murguia,  volvimos  a  comer  a  bordo,  y  el  Padre 
Presidente  se  quedo  a  dormir  en  el  Principe,  para  cantar  al  otro 
dia  una  Mis.sa  que  los  senores  Pilotos  habian  ofrecido. 

Dia  10  se  canto  una  Mis.sa  solemne  a  Maria  Santisima  por  el 
buen  viage  en  el  mismo  parage,  en  que  se  celebro  la  primera  en 
Monte-Rey  :  assistieron  a  ella  los  Padres  Fray  Joseph  de  Murguia 
y  Fray  Franci.sco  Dume:'.,  los  senores  capitanes  Don  Fernando  de 
Rivera,  Don  Pedro  Fages  y  Don  Joseph  Canizares  con  toda  la 
gente  asi  del  Presido,  como  de  los  dos  barcos.  Comimos  todos  en 
el  mismo  parage  por  convite  del  scfior  capitan  Don  Juan.  Como  a 
las  3  de  la  tarde  confese  al  Contra-Maestre  Manuel  Lopez,  y  luego 
le  administro  la  extremauncion  el  Padre  Fray  Juar  y  como  d  las 
cuatro  y  media  espiro.  F,l  cadaver  se  embio  a  la  Yglesia  uol 
Presidio,  para  que  le  dicsen  .sepultiira  los  Padres  Ministros  de  la 
Mission  de  San  Carlos. 

Dia  1 1  amanecio  en  calnia  y  con  una  espia  y  el  remolque  de  las 
lanchas  de  los  dos  barcos  arrimaron  la  Fragata  al  yerbasal  de  la 
t'unta  :  Como  d  las  doce  con  viente  Norte  nos  hicimos  a  la  vela  y 
habiendo  quedado  la  lancha  del  Principe  levaudo  un  anclote  que 


Documents  from  the  Sutra  Collection. 


H 


la  ;  al  pon- 
^ente  de  la 
,  que  el  S»' 
de  la  cam- 
on  el   barco 

junto  a  la 
un  tiro  de 
mail  an  a  se 
e  alargaroii 
"a  espaiiola 
refrescando 
I  de  la  tarde 

desembar- 
resco.     Por 

dente  y  se 
el  Pacabot 
I  las  tres. 

favorable, 
iseo  al  Real 
ticontramos 
\  al  Padre 
el  Padre 
;ar  al  otro 

ma  pfcr  el 
:)rimera  en 
e  Murguia 
rnando  de 
^\\  toda  la 
>.s  todos  en 
Como  a 
z,  y  luego 
omo  d  las 
glesia  ciol 
tros  de  la 

ue  de   las 

asal  de  la 

la  vela  y 

clote  que 


habia  servido  de  espia  no  pudo  danios  alcance  ;  toda  esta  tarfle 
cabece6  mucho  el  barco  a  causa  de  la  mar  por  proa.  Por  la  noche 
hallandonos  como  3  leguas  de  la  Punta  de  afio  nuevo  calm6  el 

viento. 

Dia  12  amanecio  en  calma  :  celebramos  missa  los  dos  padres. 
Por  la  tarde  soplo  el  N.  O. ,  pero  lento  y  al  ponense  el  sol  se  calm6. 
Como  a  las  9  de  la  nocbe  venteo  el  E.  variable,  y  luego  se  calm6 
Toda  la  noche  se  paso  en  ventoHnas  y  con  nieblina  muy  densa  y 
humeda. 

Dia  13  amanecio  con  la  misnia  nieblina  y  ventolinas.  Celebra- 
mos el  Santo  Sacrificio  ambos  padres.  A  causa  de  la  mucha  nieb- 
lina no  pudimos  ver  la  costa  esta  manana,  ni  los  .seiiores  Pilotds 
pudieron  observar  ;  toda  la  tarde  y  noche  siguiente  se  mantuvo  la 
nieblina  densa  y  nuiy  humeda. 

Dia  14  amaneci6  encalma,  con  mucha  nieblina.  Esta  maiiana 
divisamos  la  Punta  de  afio  nuevo  como  a  distancia  de  2  leguas  y 
las  corrientes  nos  arrimaron  tanto  a  la  costa  que  d  las  nucve  la 
teniamos  como  un  cuarto  de  legua  :  a  dicha  hora  se  sondeo  varias 
veces  y  se  hall6  fondo  en  25,  24  y  22  brazas.  A  las  doce  y  media 
comenzo  a  ventolear  lentamente  el  S.  O.  y  con  el  nos  apartamosde 
la  tierra.  Por  la  noche  calmo  a  ratos  y  nos  mantuvimos  dando 
bordos  entre  las  dos  puntas. 

Dia  15  amanecimos  en  {rente  de  la  punta  de  Pinos  a  la  parte  del 
Oeste  y  divisamos  claramente  In  Punta  de  cipreses,  la  ensenada  del 
Carmelo  y  la  sierra  de  Santa  laicia.  Como  a  las  S  comenz6  a 
soplar  el  Noroe.ste  algo  fresco,  pero  se  calmo  antes  de  las  q.  E.ste 
dia  no  hubo  tanta  nieblina  como  los  antecedentes,  pero  estuvo 
nublado  el  cielo  y  se  despejo  algunos  ratos.  Al  anochecer  nos 
hallabamos  como  6  leguas  apartados  de  la  tierra,  la  cual  demar- 
caron  los  senores  pilotos  y  la  punta  de  afio  nuevo  nos  demoraba  al 
Nordeste,  la  de  Pinos  al  Kste,  y  lo  demas  al  Sur  de  vSanta  Lucia 
al  S.  \i. 

Dia  16  por  la  mafiaiia  se  miraha  la  sierra  de  Santa  Lucia  como 4 
disiiincia  de  i  2  leguas  :  este  dia  amanecio  nublado  como  el  ante- 
cedente.  A  las  8  de  la  manana  refresc6  un  poco  el  Nornoroeste 
coi  aparato  de  agua  y  cayeron  algunas  golas,  pero  ceso  luego  y  el 
viento  .se  mitiguo.  Por  la  tarde  aclaro  algo  el  cielo  y  el  viento  se 
file  aflojando. 

Dia  17  amanecio  en  calma  y  el  cielo  muy  despejado  y  claro. 
Comod  la  una  de  la  tarde  se  levant6  viento  del  8.  O.  muy  lento  ; 
divisamos  al  Noroeste  la  sierra  de  Sai.ta  Lucia  como  d  distancia  de 
16  leguas.     Por  la  noche  se  llam6  el  viento  al  N.  O.  y  se  vir6  de 


<6 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California, 


bordo  cou  la  proa  al  oeste  sudoeste. 

Dia  1 8  amanecio  con  el  mismo  vientoy  nieblina  muy  obscura  y 
humeda  que  parecia  aguacero.  Este  dia  amanecio  enfermo  el 
sefior  capitan  con  indisposicion  del  estomago  y  sin  haber  sosegado 
en  toda  la  noche,  pero  al  medio  dia  ya  estaba  mejorado.  A  las  12 
observaron  los  seiiores  pilotos  y  digeron  nos  hallabamos  en  34 
grados  y  57  minutos  de  latitud  al  Norte.  Por  la  tarde  refresc6 
mas  el  viento. 

Dia  19  amanecio  con  el  mismo  viento,  pero  muy  fresco  y  mucha 
marejada.  No  se  pudo  decir  niisa  por  los  muchos  valances.  A 
las  8  nos  quedamos  con  solo  el  trinquete,  y  asi  se  caminaba  d  3  y4 
milias  por  bora ;  por  la  tarde  afloj6  el  viento  alguna  cosa  y  se 
amuro  la  mayor. 

Dia  20  habiendose  mitiguado  el  viento  se  marearon  las  gavias  y 
se  caminaba  a  5  milias  y  media  por  bora .  Todo  este  dia  sopl6  el 
Noroeste. 

Dia  21  amanecio  muy  claro  y  despejado  el  cielo.  El  viento  se 
llam6  al  Norte  y  sopl6  fresco  todo  el  dia,  se  naveg6  al  Oeste  cuarto 
al  Noroeste  a  tres  milias  por  bora.  Observaron  este  dia  los  sefi- 
ores  pilotos  34  grados  y  8  minutos  de  latitud. 

Dia  22  amaneci6  nublado  el  cielo  y  d  las  7  de  la  manana  vino 
del  Norte  una  nieblina  muy  humeda  y  el  viento  fu6  calmando.  Al 
medio  dia  observaron  los  seiiores  pilotos  34  grados  y  7  minutos  de 
latitud  ;  el  viento  se  mantuvo  lento  y  variable. 

Dia  23  por  la  maiiana  se  llam6  el  viento  al  Nordeste  pero  luego 
se  ladeo  al  Norosete.  Observaron  los  senores  pilotos  al  sol  en  33 
giados  y  46  minutos  ;  todo  el  dia  sopl6  el  Noroeste  y  se  caminaba 
al  oeste  sudoeste  d  3  milias  por  bora. 

Dia  24  amaneci6  nublado  el  cielo  y  el  viento  se  llam6  al  Norte 
Nordeste  algo  fresco  y  se  camin6  al  O.  N.  O.  Digimos  misa  los 
dos  padres  y  celebramos  alegre  el  cumpleanos  del  senor  capitan 
Don  Juan  Perez.  Este  dia  observaron  los  seiiores  pilotos  33  gra- 
dos y  43  minutos  de  latitud.  Por  la  tatde  se  camin6  al  N.  O.  \  al 
O.  d  3  y  media  milla. 

Dia  25  amaneci6  claro  el  cielo  y  con  el  mismo  viento  que  ayer  se 
caminaba  d  4  milias  por  bora  al  mismo  rumbo.  Este  dia  obser- 
varon el  sol  los  sefiores  pilotos  en  34  grados  y  26  minutos  de  lat 
itud.     A  las  9  de  la  noche  se  llam6  el  viento  al  Este. 

Dia  26  amaneci6  con  el  mismo  viento  fresco.     Digimos  misa  los 
dos  padres.     Observaron  los  seiiores  pilotos  el  sol  en  35   grados  y 
37  minutos  de  latitud.     A  las  5  de  la  tarde  se  calm6  el  viento. 
Dia  27  d  las  6  de  la  maiiana  comenzo  a  ventolear  del  Nordeste 


ly  obscura  y 
)  enfermo  el 
ber  sosegado 
o.  A  las  12 
•amos  en  34 
irde  refresc6 

SCO  y  mucha 
balances.  A 
inaba  63x4 
a   cosa   y  se 

las  gavias  y 
dia  sopl6  el 

El  viento  se 
Oeste  cuarto 
dia  los  sefi- 

nanana  vino 
Imando.  Al 
7  minutos  de 

i  pero  luego 
al  sol  en  33 
se  caminaba 

n6  al  Norte 
[OS  misa  los 
;nor  capitan 
otos  33  gra- 
al  N.  O.  i&] 

)  que  ayerse 
e  dia  obser- 
utos  de  lat- 

DOS  misa  los 
35  grados  y 
viento. 

lei  Nordeste 


Documents  from  the  Suiro  Collection. 


8T 


lento  y  variable.     En  este  dia  observaron  los  seiiores  pilotos  35 
grados  59  minutos,  y  prosigui6  el  mismo  tiempo. 

Dia  28  prosigui6  el  mismo  viento  y  se  caminaba  k  2  millas  por 
hora.  Este  dia  nos  hallamos  en  36  grados  y  26  minutos  casi  al 
paralelo  de  Monte-Rey.  Por  la  tarde  refresc6  algo  el  viento  j 
prosiguio  toda  la  noche. 

Dia  29  amaneci6  con  el  mismo  viento.  Diginu.s  misa  ambos 
padres.  Al  medio  dia  observaron  el  sol  los  seiiores  pilotos  en  37  j 
20  minutos.  Por  la  tarde  se  llam6  el  viento  al  Este  y  se  camin- 
aban  4  millas. 

Dia  30  prosigui6  el  viento  del  Este  aunque  lento  y  como  d  las  7 
se  llam6  el  Este  Sudeste  muy  flojo.  Observaron  los  seiiores  pilotas 
38  grados  y  35  minutos  de  latitud.  Por  la  tarde  refresc6  algo  el 
viento. 

Julio  dk  1774. 

Dia  I  amaneci6  casi  calmado  el  viento  y  d  las  10  se  calmo  del 
todo.  Este  dia  observaron  los  seiiores  pilotos  39  grados  45  minutos. 
A  las  doce  y  media  comenz6  d  ventear  el  Sur  muy  lento  y  carg6 
mucha  nieblina.     A  las  5  se  calm6  el  viento. 

Dia  2  como  d  las  3  de  la  matiana  cay6  un  aguacero  con  ventoli- 
nas  del  Sudoeste  y  luego  qued6  en  calma,  la  que  duro  todo  el  Uia 
y  calent6  bien  el  sol.     Por  la  noche  sopl6  del  E.  S.  E.  muy  lento. 

Dia  3  amaneci6  con  mucha  nieblina  y  el  viento  algo  fresco. 
Digimos  misa  los  dos  padres.  A  las  8  se  calm6  el  viento,  y  la 
nieblina  coraenz6  d  descargar  agua.  A  las  10  volvi6  d  ventolear 
del  E.  Observaron  los  seiiores  pilotos  40  grados  34  minutos  de 
latitud,  como  d  los  dos  se  llam6  el  viento  al  S.  E.  algo  fresco,  y 
dur6  toda  la  tarde  y  noche  siguiente.  Esta  tarde  al  ponerse  el  sol 
se  vieron  algunos  pajaros  y  dijeron  que  eran  de  mar  y  que  muchas 
veces  se  ven  sin  que  haya  tierra  eh  muchos  cientos  de  leguas. 

Dia  4  amaneci6  el  cielo  nublado  y  con  mucho  rocio,  el  viento 
fresco  del  S.  E.  y  se  mantuvo  todo  el  dia.  No  pudieron  observar 
este  dia  los  senores  pilotos  por  lo  mucho  nublado  que  estuvo.  Como 
i  la  una  de  la  tarde  comenz6  d  Hover  y  prosigui6  lo  mas  de  la  tarde. 
Por  la  noche  seren6  algo  el  cielo  y  cayo  mucho  rocio. 

Dia  5  amaneci6  con  el  mismo  viento  aunque  no  tan  fresco,  y  el 
cielo  nublado,  observaron  este  dia  los  seiiores  pilotos  43  grados  35 
minutos  de  latitud,  pero  dijeron  que  no  era  segura  dicha  observa- 
cion,  por  no  haberse  aclarado  los  orizontes.  Al  ponerse  el  sol 
vimos  un  pajaro  grande  como  gavilan  y  dijeron  que  era  de  tierra, 
pero  este  no  s»  pudo  divisar  desde  el  tope  :  hicimos  juicio  que  por 


M  Historiral  Society  of  Southern  California. 

el  O. ,  a  donde  caminaba  dicho  pajaro,  habrd  alguna  isla.  Por  la 
noche  sintieron  los  marineros  un  bufido  que  les  pareci6  de  ballena, 
pero  Don  Esteban  que  estaba  de  guardia  me  dijo  que  le  parecia  ser 
de  lobo  marino. 

Dia  6  amanecio  con  grande  rocio  y  nieblina  muy  densa,  el  viento 
algo  mas  fresco  que  ayer  ;  pero  a  las  8  ya  comenz6  a  escasearse 
No  pudieron  observar  los  senores  pilotos  por  la  mucha  nieblina 
Como  d  la  una  se  llara6  el  viento  al  S.  O.  ;  a  las  4  vimos  un  pato 
posado  en  la  agua,  como  sesenta  varas  del  barco  y  segun  dijerones 
senal  de  que  hay  tierra  no  muy  lejos.  Como  a  las  5  se  calm6  el 
viento,  y  luego  aclaro  el  cielo  y  orizontes.  El  gaviero  registro 
desde  el  tope  y  dijo  que  no  divisabr  tierra  por  parte  alguna.  Al 
anochecer  vi  otro  pato. 

Dia  7  amanecio  en  calma  con  mucha  nieblina,  y  tanto  rocio  que 
parecia  aguacero.  Esta  manana  vimos  varios  lobos  marines  al 
rededor  del  barco.  No  pudieron  observar  los  senores  pilotos  por 
la  mucha  nieblina.  Como  k  las  7  de  la  tarde  comenzo  a  ventolear 
del  N.  y  toda  la  noche  se  pas6  en  ventolina. 

Dia  8  amanecio  con  nieblina  como  los  dias  antecedentes,  y  las 
ventolinas  del  N.  muy  lentas  y  variables  que  a  cada  rato  calmabaii. 
y  cuando  mas  se  caminaba  a  milla  por  hora.  A  las  9  se  calnin 
totalmente.  No  pudieron  observar  los  seiiores  pilotos  con  certeza 
por  haber  aclarado  muy  poco  el  sol  y  estar  los  orizontes  ofuscados 
con  la  nieblina,  que  ya  5  dias  no  nos  ha  faltado  ni  una  hora.  Por 
la  tarde  hubo  algunas  ventolinas  del  S.  E. ,  pero  muy  calmosas 
Esta  tarde  vimos  tambien  varios  pajaros. 

Dia  9  amaneci6  con  tanta  nieblina  y  rocio  que  parecia  haber 
llovido  toda  la  noche,  pues  las  velas  estaban  como  si  las  hubieran 
mojado  y  de  la  agua  que  destilaban  habian  Uenado  algunos  valdes 
los  marineros  que  los  habian  puesto  debajo  para  recogerlo.  La 
calma  siguio  todo  el  dia  salvo  algunos  ratos  que  venian  algunas 
ventolinas  del  S.  E.  Al  medio  dia  aclaro  algo  el  cielo,  con  que 
pudieron  hacer  su  observacion  los  senores  pilotos  y  dijeron  que 
estabaraos  en  45  grados  de  que  nos  alegramos  todos,  pues  e-staban 
ya  con  cuidado  los  pilotos  y  luego  que  observaron  volvi6  la  nieb 
Una  muy  oscura  a  cerrar  los  orizontes.  Por  la  tarde  calmaron  ma 
las  ventolinas  y  la  nieblina  descargo  mucha  agua. 

Dia  10  prosigui6  con  nieblina  y  calma.  Digimos  misa  ambos 
padres.  Como  d  las  10  comenzo  a  soplar  muy  lento  el  S.  Al 
medio  dia  aclar6  algo  el  cielo  y  observaron  los  seiiores  pilotos  43 
grados  35  minutos.  Por  la  larde  cayo  mucha  agua  de  la  niebliua 
y  el  viento  calmaba  a  cada  rato.     Este  dia  se  vio  un  lobo  marino 


el  cual  di 
comenz6 
dos  milla 

Dia  II 
dias  ante 
naba  d  3 
varios  pa 
los  seiion 
tarde  se 
gar  much 
dia  y  noc 
que  dijen 

Dia  12 
pero  mas 
mafiana  y 
hora  se  11 
algunos  p 
muy  nubl 
llam6  el  \ 
grande  fri 
ha  sido  al 
que  lo  ha 
nuas,  pus 
alguna  all 
toda  la  nc 
orizontes. 

Dia  13 
fresco  y  e 
cubrir  de : 
los  seiion 
tenian  ma 
por  haber 
d  nublans 
fresco  y  ! 
tan  oscur 
que  parec 

Dia  14 
del  O. ;  c< 
la  proa  a 
halla  des 
pilotos  (a 
y  24  mini 

7 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Colleclion. 


89 


Jla.  Por  la 
h  de  ballena, 
e  parecia  ser 

isa,  el  viento 
i  escasearse 
:ha  nieblina 
nos  un  pato 
undijerones 
se  calm6  e! 
iero  registrci 
alguna.     Al 

ito  rocio  que 
s  mariuos  al 
i  pilotos  por 
>  a  ventolear 

entes,  y  las 
to  calinabaii. 
1  9  se  calmn 
5  con  certeza 
es  ofuscados 
a  hora.  Por 
U)'  calmosas 

irecia  haber 
as  hubieran 
giinos  valdes 
ogerlo.  La 
ian  algunas 
lo,  con  que 
dijeron  que 
jues  estaban 
Ivio  la  nieb 
alniaron  ma 

misa  ambos 
to  el  S.  A 
s  pilotos  4j 
;  la  niebliua 
lobo  mariiio 


el  cual  di6  algunas  vueltas  al  barco.  A  las  8  y  media  de  la  noche 
comenz6  i,  soplar  el  S.  E.  algo  fresco  y  se  carain6  toda  la  noche  d 
dos  millas  y  media  por  hora. 

Dia  II  amaneci6  con  el  mismo  viento  y  mucha  nieblina  como  los 
dias  antecedentes;  como  a  las  8  se  Uamo  el  viento  al  S.  y  se  cami- 
naba  d  3  millas  por  hora.  Esta  maiiana  se  vieron  dos  gaviotas  y 
varios  pajaros.  Al  medio  dia  se  aclar6  algo  el  sol  y  lo  observaron 
los  senores  pilotos  en  46  grados  y  32  minutos  de  latitud  ;  por  la 
tarda  se  llam6  el  viento  al  S.  O.  y  la  nieblina  conienzo  d  descar- 
gar  mucha  agua  y  parecia  Uuvia  de  temporal  y  esto  dur6  todo  el 
dia  y  noche  siguiente.  Esta  noche  hizo  bastante  frio  y  por  la  tarde, 
que  dijeron  caia  elada  el  agua. 

Dia  12  amaneci6  con  nieblina  y  rocio  como  los  dias  pasados, 
pero  mas  frio.  El  viento  se  llam6  al  O.  S.  O.  como  d  las  5  de  la 
maiiana  y  la  nieblina  prosigui6  llovisnando  hasta  las  10  :  en  dicha 
hora  se  llam6  el  viento  al  O.  algo  fresco.  Esta  maiiana  se  vieron 
algunos  patos.  No  pudieron  observar  los  sefiores  pilotos  por  estar 
muy  nublado  el  cielo  y  oscuros  los  orizontes.  Por  la  tarde  se 
llam6  el  viento  al  O.  N.  O.  muy  fresco  y  hubo  mucha  marejada  y 
grande  frio;  viendo  que  el  viento  era  contra  d  nuestro  rumbo,  (que 
ha  sido  al  N.  O.  \  al  O.  desde  que  comenzamos  d  subir  siempre 
que  lo  ha  permitido  el  viento)  y  que  las  nieblinas  eran  tan  conti- 
nuas,  pusieron  la  proa  al  Norte,  para  recalar  d  tierra  ganando 
alguna  altura.  Como  d  las  3  de  la  tarde  aclaro  un  poco  el  cielo,  y 
toda  la  noche  se  mantuvo  algo  despejado,  pero  muy  oscuros  los 
orizontes. 

Dia  13  amanecio  con  el  mismo  viento  O.  N.  O.  aunque  no  tan 
fresco  y  el  cielo  claro  como  por  la' noche  pero  d  las  7  se  volvi6  d 
cubrir  de  nubes.  Al  medio  dia  aclaro  muy  bien  el  dia  y  observaron 
los  seiiores  pilotos  48  grados  55  minutos  de  latitud  y  dijeron  que 
tenian  mas  satisfaccion  de  esta  observacion  que  de  las  antecedentes 
por  haber  estado  mas  despejados  los  orizontes.  Por  la  tarde  volvi6 
d  nublarse  el  cielo.  Como  d  las  7  se  Uamo  el  viento  al  S.  O.  bien 
fresco  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  N.  O.  en  dicha  hora  vino  la  nieblina 
tan  oscura  que  apenas  .se  veia  la  proa  del  barco  y  con  tanta  agua 
que  parecia  aguacero  y  asi  continu6  toda  la  noche. 

Dia  14  -'•nanecio  con  la  nieblina  y  rocio  dichos,  y  el  viento  fresco 
del  O. ;  coino  d  las  9  de  la  mafiana  mando  el  seiior  capitan  poner 
la  proa  al  Norte,  para  recalar  y  ver  si  arrimandonos  d  la  costa  se 
halla  despejado  el  cielo.  Al  medio  dia  observaron  los  .seiiores 
pilotos  (aunque  no  con  seguridad  por  el  mucho  nublado)  50  grados 
y  24  minutos  de  latitud.     Por  la  tarde  se  mantuvo  fresco  el  viento 


90 


Historical  Society  of  Soril/iei  ii  California. 


y  variable  del  O.  al  S.  En  este  dia  se  reconoci6  la  aguada  y  hallo 
haber  agua  para  dos  meses  y  medio.  Por  la  noche  prosigiiio  dicho 
viento  variable  con  mucha  nieblina  y  rocio. 

Dia  15  amanecio  muy  nublado,  con  mucho  rocio  y  el  viento  del 
S.  muy  fresco.  A  las  9  de  la  manana  convoc6  el  senor  capitan  a 
todos  los  oficiales  del  barco  y  habiendoles  manife.stado  el  estado  de 
la  aguada,  les  pidi6  su  parecer  sobre  .si  convenia  seguir  en  demaii- 
da  de  la  altura  de  60  grados  que  pide  Su  Excelencia,  6  ir  en  busca 
de  la  tierra  para  reconocer  .si  se  halla  proporcion  de  refrescar  la 
aguada  y  con  ella  hacer  la  diligencia  de  subir  a  los  60  grados ; 
todos  fueron  de  sentir,  que  convenia  recalar  a  tierra  para  .surtirse 
de  agua  y  al  misnio  tiempo  tener  parage  conocido  a  donde  recalar 
de  arribada  en  caso  de  hacerse  necesario  por  algun  acaecimiento. 
Visto  el  parecer  de  los  oficiales  mando  el  seiior  capitan  governar 
al  N.  E.  ;  en  dicha  hora  se  Uamo  el  viento  al  S.  O.  bien  fresco. 
E.stos  dos  dias  se  ha  caminado  k  cuatro  y  media  mills  por  hora  con 
mucha  marejada  y  frio.  Al  medio  dia  observaron  los  seiiores 
pilotos  5 1  grados  y  42  minutos.  Por  la  tarde  prosiguio  el  mismo 
viento  aunque  no  tan  fresco  y  el  tiempo  aclar6  un  poco. 

Dia  16  amaneci6  nublado  el  cielo,  pero  no  hubo  nieblina  ni 
rocio  ;  el  viento  se  mantuvo  del  vS.  O.  y  a  las  9  aclar6  muy  bien  el 
dia  y  quedo  templado  el  tiempo.  Este  dia  se  hizo  una  cruz  grande 
de  madera  con  el  fin  de  fijarlaen  tierra  en  seiial  de  posesion  cuando 
se  verefique  el  primer  desembarque.  Al  medio  dia  observaron  los 
seiiores  pilotos  52  grados  y  4 1  minutos  de  latitud.  For  la  tarde  se 
aflojo  el  viento  y  se  mantuvo  variable  del  S.  al  S.  O.  Esta  tarde 
se  vieron  algunas  ballenas  y  yerbas  del  mar  que  los  marinercs 
llaman  porras,  y  se  crian  muchas  en  las  costas  de  Monte-Rey  6 
cerca  de  ellas. 

Dia  17  amaneci6  nublado  el  cielo,  sin  nieblina  ni  rocio  y  el 
viento  casi  en  calma,  pues  no  se  caminaba  d  milla  y  media  p')r 
hora.  Digimos  misa  los  dos  padres.  Como  d  las  7  vino  la  nieblina 
y  cay6  un  aguacero  corto,  pero  pas6  luego,  y  el  tiempo  comenz6  i 
levantar.  Este  dia  no  hubo  frio.  Al  medio  dia  ya  estaba  despejado 
el  cielo  y  el  sol  calent6  muy  bien  :  observaron  los  seiiores  pilotos 
53  grados  y  13  minutos  de  latitud.  Por  la  tarde  prosigui6  la  misma 
bonanza  de  tiempo  con  algunas  ventolinas  del  S.  O.  y  vimos 
algunas  ballenas.     La  noche  qued6  buena  y  clara  sin  rocio. 

Dia  18  d  las  5  de  la  manana  vino  un  chuvasco  del  S.  E.  con 
alguna  agua  y  prosigui6  con  ventolinas  y  nieblina  muy  humeda. 
Esta  mafiana  se  sangr6  el  piloto  Don  Esteban  por  causa  de  una 
inflamacion  en  la  cara.     Como  d  las  diez  entr6  un  poco  de  viento 


lada  y  hallo 
siguio  dicho 

1  viento  del 
>r  capitan  a 
el  estado  de 
r  eii  demaii- 

ir  en  busca 
refrescar  la 

60  grades ; 
)ara  surtirse 
onde  recalar 
:aecimiento. 
an  governar 

bien  fresco. 
)or  hora  con 

los  sefiores 
io  el  niismo 

nieblina  ni 

nuy  bien  el 

cruz  grande 

sion  cuando 

iervaron  los 

la  tarde  se 

Esta  tarde 

marineros 

lonte-Rey  6 

li  rocio  y  el 
r  media  p')r 
la  nieblina 
>  comenz6  i 
la  despejado 
ores  pilotos 
.i6  la  misma 
y  vimos 
ocio. 
il  S.  E.  con 
ly  huraeda. 
usa  de  una 
;o  de  viento 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  CoUeciion. 


9f 


del  N.  O.  pero  muy  variable  y  flojo.  A  las  1 1  divisamos  tierra  pot 
la  proa  que  es  al  N.  O.  Bcndito  sea  Dios  y  alahado  de  todas  las 
criaturas.  No  se  pudo  observar  este  dia  por  no  haberse  descubierto 
e!  sol.  A  las  dos  reparanios  que  la  tierra  vista  al  N.  K.  estaba 
nevada  no  solo  en  la  cunibre  de  la  sierra  sino  tanibien  en  las  faldas. 
Mas  al  N.  se  miraban  otras  tier-is  sin  nieve.  Cuando  divisamos 
la  tierra  que  seria  a  distancia  de  veinte  leguas  poco  mas  6  nienos, 
mand6  el  seiior  capitan  poner  la  proa  al  N.  N.  E. ;  el  viento  se 
mantuvo  flojo  y  caniinabanios  d  milla  y  media  por  hora.  Esta 
tarde  se  volvi6  A  sangrar  D.  Esteban.  A  las  5  se  llam6  el  viento 
al  0.  N.  O.  y  se  caminaba  k  dos  millas,  pero  luego  se  escaseo.  Al 
ponerse  el  sol  demarcaron  la  tierra  y  la  sierra  nevada  demoraba  al 
E.  N.  E.  y  la  punta  de  tierra  mas  al  N.  que  parece  cabo  al  N.  N 
E.  Por  la  noche  hubo  algunas  ventolinas  del  O.  N.  O. ,  pero  lo 
mas  de  ella  se  pas6  en  calma  ;  el  cielo  qued6  nublado  pero  no  cay6 
rocio. 

Dia  19  amanecio  en  calma,  el  cielo  nublado,  pero  los  orizontes 
claros.  Como  d  las  7  de  esta  maiiana  se  ofuscaron  los  orizontes 
con  nieblina.  D.  Esteban  se  saco  una  muela  por  no  haber  tenido 
alivio  con  las  Sangrias  :  a  las  1 1  entro  un  poco  de  viento  del  S.  E. 
muy  lento  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  N.  -]  al  N.  E.  para  montar  el  cabo 
de  tierra  que  demoraba  al  N.  E.  y  ver  a  donde  corre  la  costa  mas 
arriba  de  dicho  cabo,  pues  al  N.  de  el  no  se  ve  mas  tierra.  Al 
medio  dia  observo  el  senor  capitan  53  grados  y  41  minutos  de 
latitud  ;  el  \'iento  fue  refrescando  muy  bien  y  liallandonos  a 
distancia  de  tres  leguas  de  la  punta  de  tierra  mas  al  N.  se  reco- 
nocio  que  desde  dicha  punta  corre  al  N.  N.  O.  la  costa  de  tierra 
baja.  Como  a  las  5  de  la  tarde  se  puso  la  proa  al  N.  E.  para 
arrimarnos  a  la  tierra  que  demoraba  a  dicho  rumbo  y  ver  si  habia 
paraje  donde  fondear.  Como  a  las  6  estaudo  ya  muy  fresco  el 
viento  comenzo  a  Hover,  por  lo  cual,  y  e.star  muy  oscuro  el  tiempo 
por  la  nieblina  y  la  noche  muy  proxima  determine  el  setior  capitan 
hacernos  un  poco  afuera  y  ponernos  a  la  capa  como  se  hizo  a  las  7 
de  la  tarde  y  asi  pasamos  la  noche  ;  la  nieblina  prosiguio  con 
bastante  agua. 

Dia  20  habiendo  anisnecido  se  llamo  el  viento  al  E.  S.  E.  y  nos 
pusimos  a  camino  con  la  proa  al  N.  \  al  N.  E. ,  la  nieblina  se 
mantuvo  muy  hunieda  y  oscura  ;  como  a  las  9  se  puso  la  proa  al 
E.  N.  E.  para  reconocer  la  tierra  baja  que  se  miraba  al  estremo  de 
la  punta,  y  a  las  diez  desde  el  tope  conocieron  que  eran  tres  islas 
chicas  y  proximas  d  la  tierra.  A  estas  islas  llamo  el  senor  capitan 
las  islas  de  Santa  Margarita,  por  ser  dia  de  la  gloriosa  senora.    No 


93 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


se  pudo  observar  este  dia  por  la  mucha  nieblina  que  lodo  el  dia 
estuvo  arrojando  agua.  Como  k  las  tres  de  la  tarde  estabamos 
cerca  de  la  tierra  (que  habia  parecido  islas  y  no  se  pudo  asegurar 
lo  fuesen  por  lo  poco  que  la  nieblina  dejaba  estender  la  vista  con 
ser  que  estabamos  como  tres  leguas  de  ella)  y  se  biro  de  bordo 
para  fuera  con  animo  de  mantenernos  bordeando  sobre  la  tierra  para 
en  aclarando  el  tienipo  registrar  fondeadero  y  hacer  la  aguada.  En 
dicha  hora  vimos  humaderas  en  tierra  y  luego  se  vio  venir  una 
canoa  con  9  h  mbres  dentro  :  esta  se  acerco  d  nuestro  barco  can- 
tando  los  gentiles  pero  no  quisieron  arrimarse  de  modo  que  le 
pudiesimos  hablar  por  senas,  y  habiendonos  seguido  un  buen  rato 
se  volvieron  para  tierra.  Como  d  las  5  vino  en  seguimiento  nues- 
tro, dicha  canoa  con  otra  en  que  venian  6  gentiles  y  habiendonos 
alcanzado  se  arrimaron  las  dos  a  nuestra  popa,  y  el  senor  capitan 
les  regal6  algunas  sartas  de  abalorios  y  ellos  dieron  pescado  seco, 
pero  no  quisieron  subir  a  bordo.  Son  gente  bien  dispuesta,  blan- 
cos,  con  pelo  largo,  cubiertos  de  pieles  y  gamuzas  y  algunos  son 
bordados.  En  sus  canoas  traian  algunos  hierros,  pero  no  pudimos 
averiguar  de  donde  los  han  habido  porque  luego  se  retiraron  a 
su  tierra  convidandonos  con  ella  y  ofrecieron  darnos  agua  al  dia 
siguiente.  Como  d  las  6  lleg6  otra  canoa  con  7  gentiles,  y  se 
arrimaron  con  el  mismo  canto  que  los  primeros ;  estos  nos 
siguieron  como  una  hora  sin  querer  subir  d  bordo  y  cuando  se 
volvieron  d  su  tierra  estabamos  ya  apartados  de  ella  como  ocho 
leguas  y  bastante  marejada.  Las  canoas  son  como  las  que  tienen 
en  la  canal  de  Santa  Barbara,  pero  de  mayor  cavida.  Esta  tarde 
corri6  el  viento  S.  E.  y  d  las  diez  de  la  noche  se  calmo. 

Dia  21  como  a  las  12  de  la  noche  comenzo  d  ventear  el  S.  E. 
muy  fresco,  y  se  prosiguio  para  fuera  con  la  proa  al  S.  O.  i  al  S. 
A  las  8  de  la  mafiana  se  viro  de  bordo  para  tierra  con  la  proa  al  E. 
\  al  N.  E.  Esta  mafiana  hubo  mucha  nieblina.  No  pudieron 
observar  los  senores  pilotos  por  estar  nublado  el  cielo.  Como  d  las 
1 2  del  dia  llegaraos  sobre  la  punta  de  tierra  del  N.  de  Santa 
Margarita  d  distancia  de  un  cuarto  de  legua  y  la  fuimos  costeando 
hacia  al  E.  como  media  legua  con  animo  de  registrar  si  tras  de  una 
punta  al  E.  en  donde  parece  hace  recodo  habia  fondeadero,  pero 
no  se  pudo  montar  esta  punta  porque  las  corrientes  nos  rechazaban 
al  S. ,  por  lo  cual  se  viro  de  bordo  y  habiendonos  apartado  como 
una  legua  al  SO.  de  la  tierra  se  calm6  el  viento  que  toda  la 
manana  habia  soplado  muy  fuerte  y  habia  levantado  grande  mare- 
jada. Como  d  las  dos  y  media  de  la  tarde  comenzaron  d  venir 
canoas  de  gentiles,  unas  mayores  que  otras  ;  las  mayores  tendran 


Documents  from  the  Sutto  Collection. 


93 


I  todo  el  dia 
e  estabamos 
do  asegurar 
la  vista  con 
"6  de  bordo 
a  tierra  para 
guada.  En 
)  venir  una 
I  barco  can- 
iiodo  que  le 
I  buen  rato 
liento  nues- 
labiendonos 
nor  capitan 
iscado  seco, 
uesta,  blaii- 
ilgunos  son 
no  pudimos 

retiraron  a 

agua  a1  dia 

:ntiles,  y  se 

;   estos   nos 

cuando  se 

como  ocho 
i  que  tienen 

Esta  tarde 

ear  el  S.  E. 

O.  i  al  S. 

1  proa  al  E. 

b  pudieron 

Como  d  las 

I.  de  Santa 

i  costeando 

tras  de  una 

adero,  pero 

rechazaban 

rtado  como 

que  toda  la 

ande  mare- 

ron  i.  venir 

res  tendran 


de  largo  doce  6  trece  varas,  y  al  parecer  son  de  una  pieza,  escepto 
un  cerco  de  tablas  por  arriba,  y  la  proa.  Kn  dichas  canoas 
vinieron  como  doscientas  almas  ;  en  una  se  contaron  veinte  y  una 
personas,  en  otra  diez  y  nueve,  en  las  demas  habia  a  rinco,  a  siete, 
a  doce  y  a  quince  almas.  Vino  uim  canoa  con  doce  6  trece 
mugeres  sin  honibre  alguno  ;  en  las  otras  habia  taml)ien  a'gnnas 
mugeres,  pero  el  mayor  numero  era  de  hombres.  Al  liempo  de 
llegarse  a  nuestro  barco  la  canoa  de  mugeres  sucedio  que  esta 
topando  con  su  proa  en  la  de  otra  canoa  de  hombres  se  la  quebro, 
de  lo  que  se  enfadaron  mucho  los  hombres,  y  uno  de  ellos  cojiendo 
ell  sus  nianos  la  proa  de  la  canoa  de  las  mugeres  se  la  hizo 
pedazos,  para  vengarse  del  descuido  de  ellas.  Toda  la  tarde  se 
estuvieron  las  canoas  que  eran  veinte  y  una  entre  todas,  al  rededor 
de  nuestro  barco,  comerciando  con  los  de  a  bordo  para  lo  cual 
traian  gran  prevencion  de  petates,  pieles  de  diversas  especies  de 
animales  y  peces,  sombreros  de  junco,  gorras  de  pieles,  plumages 
con  varias  figuras  y  sobre  todo  muchas  colchas,  6  tejidos  de  lana 
muy  bordados  como  de  vara  y  media  en  cuadro  con  sus  flecos  de  la 
raisma  lana  al  rededor  y  varios  labores  de  distintos  colores.  De 
todo  compraron  los  nuestros  por  ropa,  cuchillos  y  abalorios,  varias 
piezas.  Se  conocio  que  tienen  mucha  aficion  al  comercio  y  que  lo 
que  mas  apetecian  eran  cosas  de  hierro,  pero  querian  piezas  grandes 
y  de  corte,  como  espadas,  machetes,  &c. ,  pues  mostrandoles  veldu- 
ques  daban  d  entender  que  eran  chicos,  y  ofreciendoles  aros  de 
barril,  que  no  tenia  corte.  Subieron  a  bordo  dos  gentiles,  y  les 
cuadro  mucho  nuestro  barco  y  las  cosas  de  el.  Las  mugeres  tienen 
taladrado  el  labio  inferior  y  en  61  pendiente  una  rodeta  plana  que 
no  pudimos  saber  que  cosa  era,  ni  de  que  materia.  Su  vestido  es 
una  esclavina  con  fleco  al  rededor  y  una  ropa  talar  de  sus  tejidos 
de  lana,  6  de  pieles  que  las  cubre  todo  el  cuerpo  ;  tienen  pelo 
largo  y  hecho  trenza  d  las  espaldas,  son  blancas  y  rubias  como 
cualquiera  espariola  ;  pero  las  afea  la  rodeta  que  tienen  en  el  labio 
y  cuelga  hasta  la  barba.  Los  hombres  andan  tambien  cubiertos  ya 
de  pieles,  ya  de  tejidos  de  lana,  y  muchos  con  esclavinas  como  las 
mugeres ;  pero  no  reparan  en  quedarse  desnudos  cuando  ven 
ocacion  de  vender  sus  vestidos.  A  las  seis  se  fueron  despidiendo 
las  canoas  para  sus  tierras  y  demostraron  que  deseaban  el  que 
iuesemos  a  ella.  Algunos  marineros  saltaron  a  las  canoas  y  los 
gentiles  los  embijaron  con  mucha  algazara  y  contento.  Dieron  a 
entender  estos  gentiles  que  no  pasasemos  al  Norte  porque  era  mala 
gente  que  flechaban  y  mataban;  (cuento  comun  entre  gentiles  decir 
que  todos  son  malos  menos  ellos).     Toda  la  tarde  dur6  la  calma  y 


I 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


las  corrientes  nos  apartaron  mas  de  la  tierra  como  dos  leguas. 

Dia  22  como  ii  las  dos  de  la  madrnjjada  comenz6  a  ventear  el  S. 
E.  muy  lento  y  4  las  5  distariainos  de  la  tierra  como  cuatro  leguas, 
y  lateniaiuos  al  K.  S.  E. ,  y  una  isla  que  ayer  se  deniarc6  al  N.  O. 
\  O.  A  distaiicia  de  H  /)  diez  leguas  se  niiral)a  al  N.,  y  otra  tierra 
alta  demarcada  ayer  al  N.  \  al  N.  O.  (jue  no  se  supo  si  era  isla 
denioraba  al  N.  Caininamos  sobre  la  tierra  con  la  proa  al  E.  \  al 
N.  E.  para  ver  si  se  podia  montar  la  punta  al  E.  de  Santa  Mar- 
garita y  registrar  si  hay  fondeadero  eii  el  recodo  que  hace  tras  de 
dicha  punta  ;  pero  por  lo  mucho  que  las  corrientes  nos  sotaventa- 
ban  no  se  pudo  llegar  a  dicha  punta  y  asi  dimos  bordo  para  fuera 
con  la  proa  al  S.  S.  O.  Al  medio  dia  diio  el  senor  capitan  que 
habia  observado  al  sol  en  55  f;rados  de  lavitud  ;  como  k  la  una  se 
vir6  de  bordo  para  tierra  y  a  las  tres  y  media  se  llam6  el  viento  al 
E.  S.  E.  y  se  vino  para  fuera  con  la  proa  al  {:'. ,  pero  luego  se  llamo 
otra  vez  el  viento  al  S.  E.  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  S.  S.  O.  Toda  esta 
tarde  se  mantuvo  dicho  vionto  fresco  con  rnuchisima  nieblina,  tan 
espesa  que  parecia  de  noche  y  tan  humeda  que  parecia  aguacero 
de  temporal  y  grande  marejada.  Con  motivo  de  ser  el  viento 
contrario,  la  nieblina  tan  espesa  y  humeda,  la  marejada  tan  grande 
y  las  corrientes  que  nos  sotaventaban  sobre  la  tierra  alta  que 
estd  al  Norte  de  la  punta  de  Santa  Margarita,  caminamos  toda 
la  tarde  y  noche  para  fuera  y  perdimos  de  vista  la  punta  de 
Santa  Margarita.  Advierto  que  toda  la  tierra  de  Santa  Margarita 
y  la  demas  al  Este,  esta  tan  poblada  de  arboleda  que  no  se  niira 
parte  alguna  que  no  sea  bosque  muy  tupido  de  maderage  alto 
y  nos  parecio  ser  cipreses.  En  las  canoas  de  los  gentiles  vieron 
los  nuestros  palos  de  pino,  de  cipres,  de  fresno  y  aya,  aun- 
que  yo  no  vi  mas  que  de  cipres  y  de  pino. 

Dia  23  amanecio  con  el  mismo  viento,  nieblina,  agua  y  marejada 
que  ayer  y  se  prosiguio  para  fuera  con  la  misma  proa  caminando 
solamente  a  niilla  por  hora,  (e.stando  con  demasiada  fuerza  el 
viento)  por  la  niucha  marejada  que  nos  venia  por  proa.  Antes 
de  medio  dia  se  llamo  el  viento  al  E.  S.  E.  y  se  camino  todo  el  dia 
al  S.  a  tres  millas  y  a  dos  y  media  por  hora.  No  se  pudo  observar 
por  no  haberse  visto  el  .sol  en  todo  el  dia.  Por  la  tarde  prosiguio 
Uovisnando  con  bastante  frio  ;  viendo  el  tiempo  tan  malo  y  los 
vientos  contrarios  para  vajar,  deterniinanios  hacer  una  novena  al 
Sefior  San  Juan  Nepomuceno,  que  se  comenzo  este  dia  y  otra  d  la 
Senora  Santa  Clara  que  se  conienzara  dia  4  del  proximo  Agosto 
(dandonos  Dios  vida)  para  alcanzar  de  Su  Magestad  Santisima 
por  la   iutercesion  de  dichos  santos  la  mejoria  de  tiempos  que 


;guas. 
ntear  el  S. 
tro  leKuas, 
:6  al  N.  O. 

otra  tierra 
si  era  isla 
t  al  K.  i  al 
5anta  Mar- 
ace  tras  de 

sotaventa- 
para  fuera 
ipitan  que 
i.  la  una  se 
1  viento  al 
50  se  llamo 

Toda  esta 
eblina,  tan 
a  aguacero 

•  el  viento 
tan  grande 
I  alta  que 
amos  toda 

punta  de 
Margarita 
10  se  niira 
erage  alto 
les  vieron 
aya,   aun- 

•  niarejada 
aminando 

fuerza  el 

I.     Antes 

odo  el  dia 

0  observar 

prosigiiio 

nalo  y  los 

lovena  al 

otra  d  la 

lo  Agosto 

Santisiina 

inpos  que 


DoiHincnIs pom  the  Snhv  Collcilioii. 


95 


necesitanios.  Advicrto  que  el  seuor  capitati  nos  dijn  este  dia  que 
la  isla  deniarcada  al  N.  O.  .|  al  O.  dia  veinle  y  niio  estando  sobre 
la  punta  de  Santa  Margarita  so  llama  isla  dc  Santa  Cristina.  y  la 
otra  tierra  alta  deniarcada  al  N.  \  al  N.  O.  se  llama  el  cabo  de 
Santa  Maria  Magdalena.  ICste  cabo  esta  al  N.  O.  de  la  punta  de 
Santa  Margarita  y  entre  c-l  y  dicha  jninta  hace  a  la  parte  del  E. 
una  como  cnsenada  niuy  grande  (jue  no  pndimos  conocer,  (porque 
las  corrientes  nos  rechazaban  como  lengo  dicho)  si  es  golfo, 
estrecho  6  bahia  con  desemboque  de  algun  caudaloso  rio  como 
iinagina  el  senor  capitan.  El  dicho  cabo  de  Santa  Maria  Magda- 
lena dista  10  leguas  de  la  punta  de  Santa  Margarita  y  esto  10 
que  tiene  de  ancho  la  boc^  6  entrada  de  dicha  ensenada  6  golfo. 
El  cabo  de  Santa  Ma^.u  >i.agdalena  sale  para  fuera  del  E.  al  O.  y 
junto  a  la  puntn  que  hace  al  O.  esta  la  isla  de  Santa  Cristina,  la 
cual  nos  parecio  ser  chica  y  apartada  de  tierra  como  dos  leguas  ; 
esta  noche  a  las  once  conienzo  a  ventear  el  S.  O. 

Dia  24  amanecio  algo  claro  y  el  viento  fresco  del  S.  O.  Desde 
las  II  de  la  noche  antecedente  hasta  las  5  de  esta  mafiana  camin- 
amos  al  S.  E.  A  las  5  se  puso  la  proa  al  E.  S.  E.  para  recalar  k 
tierra.  Este  dije  yo  misa  y  el  padre  Fray  Juan  no  la  dijo  porque 
antes  de  comenzarla  se  vio  venir  un  chuvasco  y  cayeron  algunas 
gotas  de  agua  y  refresc6  mas  el  viento.  Este  dia  observaron  los 
senores  pilotos  53  grados  y  48  niinutos  de  latitud.  Por  la  tarde 
afloj6  el  viento  y  por  la  noche  se  calm6.  Al  ponerse  el  sol  se 
divis6  tierra  y  nos  parecio  ser  la  primera  que  vimos  en  la  recalada 
dia  18  del  presente.  A  las  11  de  la  noche  se  vieron  en  el  cielo  d 
la  parte  del  Norte  y  N.  E.  unos  resplandores  muy  luminosos. 

Dia  25  amaneci6  en  calma  y  el  cielo  muy  claro  y  despejado.  A 
las  6  comenz6  d  ventolear  muy  lento  del  E.  Digimos  misa  ambos 
padres  y  le  administr^  por  viatico  el  Santisimo  d  un  marinero 
enfermo.  Como  el  vient  j  era  de  tierra  la  cual  se  miraba  al  E.  no 
pudimos  ir  en  demanda  de  ella,  que  distaria  de  nosotros  como  doce 
leguas  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  S.  \  al  S.  E.  Al  medio  dia  observaron 
los  sefiores  pilotos  53  grados  y  21  minutos  de  latitud  Como  d  la 
una  de  la  tarde  se  llam6  el  viento  al  N.  E.  muy  lento  y  con  la  pica 
al  S.  E.  i  al  E.  caminabamos  d  milla  por  hora  :  esta  tarde  se  v;u 
Men  clara  la  costa  y  la  sierra  nevada  ;  al  pie  de  esta  se  v6  una 
tierra  alta  que  hace  cucliilla  en  la  cumbre  tendida  del  E.  al  O.  y  d 
la  parte  del  O.  hace  la  tierra  un  mogote  redondo  como  un  horno  y 
parece  ser  islote;  aunque  no  se  pudo  conocer,  si  lo  es,  como  tara- 
poco  si  la  <)icha  tierra  alta  es  continente  con  la  falda  de  la  sierra 
aevada,  6  isla  apartada  de  ella.     Al  N.  O.  de  esta  tierra  alta,  y 


96 


/fistorical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


\^:M.:' 


mogote  con  figura  de  horno  parece  que  hace  ensenada.  Esta  tarde 
como  d  las  7  muri6  un  grumete  Uamado  Salvador  Antonio, 
natural  y  casado  en  el  pueblo  de  Gaynamota.  Como  d  las  6  com- 
en7,6  d  cargar  la  nieblina,  y  d  llovisnar.  A  las  9  se  Uamo  el  viento 
al  N.  E.  i  al  E.  y  comenzo  d  Hover  con  mucha  fuerza  especial- 
mente  hasta  las  1 1 ,  y  toda  la  noche  prosigui6  Uoviendo  con  el 
mismo  viento. 

Dia  26  amaneci6  Uovisnando  con  mucha  nieblina  ;  d  las  4  de  la 
manana  c6menz6  d  ventear  al  S.  S.  E.  y  caminamos  con  la  proa  al 
O.  S.  O.  hasta  las  6  y  media  que  se  vir6  para  tierra  con  la  proa  al 
E.  Dige  misa  y  enteir^  al  grumete  que  muri6  ayer  :  el  padre 
Fray  Juan  no  dijo  misa  por  el  mal  tiempo  que  sobrevino  de  agus- 
ceros  con  tanto  viento  y  marejada  que  no  podiamos  mantenernos 
en  pi6  :  d  las  diez  se  vir6  para  fuera  con  la  proa  al  O.  S.  O.  por 
estar  el  tiempo  tan  malo  para  arrimarnos  d  tierra  asi  por  el  mucho 
viento  como  por  la  marejada  y  oscuridad  del  dia  que  todo  61  estuvo 
Uoviendo  con  mucha  fuerza  ;  no  se  pudo  observar  ;  por  la  tarde  se 
arreci6  mas  el  viento  y  se  mantuvo  variable  del  S.  E.  al  S.  S.  O., 
pero  siempre  Uoviendo  ;  por  la  noche  se  llam6  el  viento  al  S.  O.  y 
se  puso  la  proa  al  S.  S.  E. 

Dia  27  amanecio  oscuro  el  cielo  y  Uoviendo  como  el  dia  antece- 
dente  con  grande  marejada;  el  viento  del  S.  O. ,  pero  no  tan  fresco; 
d  las  8  de  la  manana  ceso  la  lluvia,  y  desde  las  10  comenz6  a 
aclarar  el  tiempo  y  mitigarse  el  viento.  Al  medio  dia  observaron 
los  senores  pilotos  52  grades  y  59  minutos  de  latitud  ;  por  la  tarde 
hizo  buen  sol  y  el  viento  se  mantuvo  flojo  hasta  la  noche  que  se 
qued6  en  calma. 

Dia  28  amanecio  en  calma  y  el  tiempo  claro,  se  miraba  bien  la 
tierra  d  distancia  como  de  8  leguas  ;  es  la  tierra  alta  con  muchos 
cerros  tajados  a  la  mar  :  como  d  las  7  comenzo  d  ventolear  dc»  S.  y 
nublarse  el  cielo,  pero  el  viento  se  calmo  luego  y  el  cielo  se  despejo 
algo  al  medio  dia  con  lo  cual  pudieron  observar  los  senores  pilotos 
y  segun  dijeron  nos  hallamos  en  52  grados  y  41  minutos  :  tambien 
demarcaron  la  costa  y  lo  mas  al  N.  de  ella  demor^-ba  al  N.  N.  O.  y 
lo  mas  al  S.  demoraba  al  E.  S.  E.  Esta  copta  desde  los  54  grados 
hasta  aqui  corre  del  N.  O.  al  S.  E.  y  toda  es  iierra  muy  alta.  A 
esta  tierra  llam6  el  sefior  capitan  la  sierra  de  San  Cristoval,  y  esta 
nevada  no  solo  en  el  cerro  que  esta  en  los  53  grados  de  ^atitud, 
sino  tambien  en  otros  varios  mas  al  S.  Por  la  tarde  como  d  las  3 
comenz6  d  soplar  muy  lento  el  S.  S.  O. ,  luego  se  iwk  Uamando  al 
S  O.  y  se  puso  la  pioa  al  S.  S.  E.  pero  fu6  tan  lento  el  viento  que 
se  navegaba  d  railla  per  hora  y  varios  ratos  se  calmaba  totalmente 


.  Esta  tarde 
lor  Antonio, 
I  d  las  6  com- 
im6  el  viento 
srza  especial- 
viendo  con  el 

d  las  4  de  la 
;on  la  proa  al 
n  la  proa  al 
yer  :  el  padre 
ino  de  agus- 
mantenernos 
O.  S.  O.  por 
por  el  mucho 
odo  ^1  estuvo 
or  la  tarde  se 
.  al  S.  S.  O., 
tito  al  S.  O.  y 

1  dia  antece- 
lo  tan  fresco; 
lo  comenz6  a 
ia  observaron 
por  la  tarde 
noche  que  se 

iraba  bien  la 
I  con  muchos 
olear  dc»  S.  y 
lo  se  despejo 
nores  pilotos 
tos  :  tambieii 
il  N.  N.  O.  y 
los  54  grados 
nuy  alta.  A 
stoval,  y  esta 
3s  de  latitud, 
;omo  d  las  3 
;  llamando  al 
el  viento  que 
a  totalmente 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


97 


asi  por  la  tarde  como  por  la  noche  siguiente  que  se  mantuvo  dicho 
viento ;  el  tiempo  se  mantuvo  esta  tarde  y  noche  sin  Hover  con 
mucho  nublado  y  algun  frio. 

Dia  29  amanecio  nublado  el  cielo  pero  sin  nieblina  y  asi  se  veia 
bien  la  costa  que  tarabien  distaria  como  8  leguas  y  es  tierra  niuy 
alta  y  quebrada,  en  la  cumbre  tiene  muchos  picachos  que  hacen 
diversas  figuras,  como  lo  demas  de  la  sierra  de  San  Cristobal.  En 
toda  la  costa  desde  Santa  Margarita  en  los  55  hasta  aqui  no  se  ha 
podido  reconocer  si  puertos,  ensenadas,  bahias,  rios,  &c.,  asi  por 
lo  apartado  que  hemos  navegado  como  por  los  muchos  nublados  de 
los  mas  dias  que  han  ofuscado  los  orizontes  y  playage  ;  esta  rnana- 
na  continu6  el  S.  O.  con  la  misma  lentitud  6  intervalos  que  ayer  ; 
como  d  las  11  se  llamo  el  viento  al  S.  S.  E.  y  se  viro  de  bordo  para 
fuerA  con  la  proa  al  S.  O.  \  al  O.  No  se  pudo  observar  este  dia 
por  lo  mucho  nublado  que  estuvo  el  cielo  ;  por  la  tarde  se  quedo 
causi  calniado  el  viento  y  d  anochecer  se  calm6  totalmente  y  dur6 
la  calma  toda  la  noche. 

Dia  30  por  la  maiiana  hubo  algunas  ventolinas  del  E.  S.  E.  y 
con  ellas  nos  apartamos  mas  de  la  tierra  con  la  proa  al  S. ;  como  d 
las  8  se  llaai6  el  viento  al  S.  S.  E.  muy  lento  y  variable  y  se  puso 
la  proa  al  £.  O.  \  al  S. ,  luego  se  fue  llamando  al  S.  y  cada  vez 
mas  fresco  ;  d  las  12  se  viro  de  bordo  con  la  proa  al  E.  S.  E. ,  y  d 
la  una  habiendose  vuelto  el  viento  al  S.  E.  se  vir6  con  la  proa  para 
fuera  al  S.  O.  ^  al  S.  y  se  caminaba  tres  millas  por  hora.  Este 
dia  no  pudieron  observar  los  setiores  pilotos  por  estar  nublado  el 
cielo  ;  por  la  tarde  se  arrecio  mucho  el  viento  con  grande  marejada 
y  antes  de  anochecer  fue  preciso  aferrar  el  velacho  para  que  no  se 
viniese  abajo  el  mastelero,  se  quebrase  el  trinquete  con  las  grandes 
cabezadas  que  daba  el  barco  ;  luego  que  anochecio  comenzo  d 
Hover  y  dur6  la  agua  toda  la  noche  :  d  las  12  aferraron  la  gavia, 
porque  el  viento  iba  tomando  fuerza  y  nos  qnedamos  con  las  dos 
mayores  :  todos  pasamos  mala  noche  por  lo  mucho  que  se  valan- 
ceaba  el  barco  :  el  viento  a  jirima  noche  se  llamo  al  E.  S.  E.  y  de 
la  media  noche  abajo  se  voWio  al  S.  E.  y  S.  S.  E. 

Dia  31  amaneci6  lloviendo  y  el  tiempo  muy  cerrado  aunque  el 
viento  no  estaba  ya  tan  fuerte.  No  pudimos  decir  misa  por  estar 
malo  el  tiempo  y  haber  mucha  marejada  y  valances.  Como  d  las 
8  y  media  marearon  las  gavias  habiendose  mejorado  algo  el  tiempo 
y  cesado  la  agua  ;  ol  viento  se  mantuvo  del  toda  la  noche  y  mana- 
r.a  y  se  camin6  con  la  proa  al  S.  O.  i  al  O. :  como  d  las  10  volvi6  d 
tomar  mayor  fuerza  el  viento  y  d  cerrarse  mas  el  tiempo  con  amen- 
azas  de  agua,  pero  no  llovio.     A  las  12  se  aclar6  uu  poco  y  obser- 


il 


98 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  Califorttia. 


varon  los  senoros  pilotos  51  grades,  y  58  minutos  de  latitud.  Por 
la  tarde  prosigui6  el  misrao  viento  muy  fuerte  y  el  cielo  muy  cer- 
rado  y  oscuro  ;  como  d  las  7  cayeron  algunas  gotas  de  agua  muy 
gruesas  y  frias  pero  luego  cesaron. 

Agosto  de  1774. 
Dia  I  d  la  una  de  la  madrugada  habiendose  Ham  ado  el  viento  al 
S.  O.  viraron  de  bordo  para  tierra  y  con  la  proa  al  S.  S.  E. ,  se 
caminaba  d  cuatro  millas  por  hora  ;  como  d  las  7  de  la  mafiana  se 
llam6  el  viento  al  S.  S.  O.  siempre  muy  fresco  y  se  puso  la  proa  al 
S.  E.  A  las  8  aclaro  el  cielo  y  se  dej6  ver  el  sol ;  como  d  las  10  se 
llam6  el  viento  al  O.  S.  O.  no  tan  fuerte  como  por  la  manana  ni 
tan  frio  ;  al  medio  dia  observaron  los  senores  pilotos  el  sol  en  51 
grades  y  35  minutos  de  latitud  al  N.  Por  la  tarde  prosigui6  dicho 
viento  algo  mas  fresco  y  lento,  y  se  camin6  al  mismo  rumbo  d  tres 
millas  por  hora  ;  como  d  las  7  se  llamo  el  viento  al  O.  el  cual  dur6 
toda  la  noche  y  se  prosigui6  navegando  al  S.  S.  E.  d  tres  millas 
por  hora  ;  la  noche  estuvo  muy  clara  y  despejado  el  cielo. 

Dia  2  como  d  las  cuatro  y  media  de  la  mafiana  se  llam6  el  viento 
al  O.  N.  O.  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  S.  E.  para  recalar  a  tierra  ;  esta 
manana  aunque  no  era  muy  fuerte  el  viento  por  ser  cuasi  en  popa 
y  la  marejada  favorable,  caminabamos  a  tres  millas  por  hora.  Al 
medio  dia  observaron  los  senores  pilotos  y  dijeron  que  nos  hallaba- 
mos  en '50  grados  y  20  minutos  de  latitud  :  en  dicha  hora  mand6el 
seiior  capitan  governar  al  E.  i  al  S.  E.  para  caer  d  tierra  sin 
perder  tanta  altura  ;  por  la  tarde  prosigui6  el  mismo  viento  hasla 
las  6  que  se  llam6  al  O. ;  por  la  noche  cargo  muoha  nieblina  y 
rocio,  esta  noche  se  governo  al  mismo  rumbo  hasta  las  12. 

Dia  3  desde  las  1 2  d  las  4  se  governo  al  S.  E.  i  al  E.  por  miedo 
de  la  costa  que  por  estar  tan  oscura  la  nieblina  no  se  podia  ver  si 
estaba  cerca  ;  d  las  4  se  puso  otra  vez  la  proa  al  E.  i  al  S.  E. ,  el 
viento  se  mantuvo  fresco  del  O.  hasta  las  8  que  se  llamo  al  N.  0. 
(viento  que  ya  mucho  tiempo  se  deseaba  y  no  se  habia  logrado  ni 
una  hora).  La  nieblina  dur6  toda  la  mafiana,  por  lo  cual  no  pudi- 
mos  divisar  la  costa.  Al  medio  dia  observaron  los  sefiores  pilotos 
el  sol  en  49  grados  y  24  minutos  de  latitud  ;  desde  las  12  de  este 
dia  por  mandado  del  seiior  capitan  se  govern6  al  E.  para  recalar  i 
tierra  y  reconocer  la  costa,  en  caso  de  levantarse  la  nieblina  ;  pues 
segun  sus  cuentas  debemos  estar  muy  cerca  de  ella  ;  d  las  3  de  la 
tarde  viendo  que  la  nieblina  no  aclaraba  y  que  el  viento  iba  refres- 
cando  mand6  dicho  seiior  capitan  tomar  rizos  d  las  gavias  y  poner 
la  proa  al  S.  E.  i  al  S.  hasta  que  Dios  quiera  darnos  tiempo  claro 
como  se  necesita  para  ir  por  la  costa  ;  a  las  5  comenzo  d  levantarse 


Docuvicnts  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


99 


atitud.  Por 
;lo  muy  cer- 
e  agua  muy 

o  DE  1774. 
>  el  viento  al 

S.  S.  E.,se 
la  maiiana  se 
ISO  la  proa  al 
10  d  las  10  se 
la  manana  ni 
s  el  sol  en  51 
osigui6  dicho 
rumbo  5  tres 
el  cual  dur6 
d  tres  millas 
ielo. 

.ni6  el  viento 

i  tierra  ;  esta 

:uasi  en  popa 

>or  hora.     Al 

nos  hallaba- 

ora  mand6  el 

d  tierra  sin 

viento  hasia 

la  nieblina  y 

12. 

E.  por  miedo 
i  podia  ver  si 

alS.  E.,el 
m6  al  N.  0. 
ia  logrado  ni 
:ual  no  pudi- 
inores  pilotos 
as  12  de  este 
ara  recalar  i 
eblina  ;  pues 

las  3  de  la 
to  iba  refres- 
■vias  y  poner 
tiempo  claro 

d  levantarse 


la  nieblina,  y  habiendo  aclarado  y  no  viendose  la  costa  alargaron 
rizos  d  las  gavias  y  marearon  todo  el  velanien  y  pusieron  la  proa  al 
E.  para  ver  si  antes  de  anochecer  se  descubria  la  tierra  ;  el  viento 
fu6  tomando  cada  vez  mas  fuerza  y  se  caminaba  a  5  millas  por 
hora  y  lo  demas  del  dia  se  liabia  caminado  a  4  y  a  4  y  media.  No 
pudimos  divisar  la  costa  por  lo  cual  a  las  9  se  aferraron  las  velas  y 
nos  quedamos  con  solo  el  trinquete  y  asi  se  andaban  a  dos  millas  y 
media  por  hora  ;  a  las  12  volvio  a  cerrarse  la  nieblina  espesa. 

Dia  4  d  las  12  de  la  noche  se  puso  el  barco  d  la  capa  con  la 
mayor  y  d  las  4  habiendo  amanecido  con  la  nieblina  muy  densa  se 
marearon  las  gavias  y  trinquete  y  nos  pusimos  d  camino  con  la 
proa  al  E.  ;  el  viento  se  llamo  al  N.  muy  fresco  y  luego  levant6 
mucha  marejada  ;  d  las  8  viendo  que  la  nieblina  no  aclaraba  y  que 
el  viento  y  mar  iban  en  aumento  se  volvierron  d  aferrar  las  gavias 
y  quedandonos  con  el  trinquete  se  puso  la  proa  al  E.  S.  E.  por  no 
verse  la  costa,  que  se  imagina  muy  cerca  segun  las  cuentas  de  los 
seiiores  pilotos.  A  las  11  comenzo  a  aclarar  un  poco  el  tiempo  y 
no  se  divis6  la  tierra.  A  las  12  observaron  los  senores  pilotos  el 
sol  en  48  grados  y  52  minutos  de  latitud  ;  d  la  una  de  la  tarda 
habiendose  aclarado  bien  el  tiempo  se  marearon  la  mayor  y  gavias 
y  con  la  proa  al  E.  N.  E.  fuimos  en  demanda  de  la  costa  cami- 
nando  d  4  millas  por  hora  :  esta  tarde  se  llamo  el  viento  al  N.  N. 
E.  y  sopl6  con  tanta  fuerza  como  al  N.  por  la  maiiana.  Este  dia 
es  el  unico  que  durante  toda  la  navegacion  se  ha  visto  claro 
ponerse  el  sol.  Por  la  noche  prosiguio  dicho  viento  con  la  misma 
fuerza  y  por  ser  tanta  la  marejada  hubo  mucho  valanceo  y  poco 
sosiego.  Esta  tarde  dimos  principio  d  la  novena  de  la  Seiiora 
Santa  Clara,  como  lo  habiamos  prometido  para  implorar  el  auxilio 
divino  por  intersecion  de  la  gloriosa  santa  d  fin  de  que  el  seiior 
nos  conceda  vientos  favorables  y  tiempos  claros  para  poder  costear 
la  tierra  y  dar  cumplimiento  a  los  encargos  y  ordenes  del  superior 
govierno,  si  conviene  al  servicio  de  Dios  y  del  Rey  nuestro 
Seiior. 

Dia  5  umaneci6  claro  y  despejado  el  cielo  sin  nieblina  y  no  se 
pudo  divisar  la  costa  que  segun  cuentas  debiamos  estar  ya  dos 
dias  sobre  ella,  y  sin  duda  ha  estado  el  yerro  en  la  variacion  de  la 
hauja,  que  segun  se  ha  podido  demarcar  estas  nochts  el  Norte,  no 
destea  dicha  hauja  dos  cuartas.  Esta  maiiana  se  volvio  el  viento 
al  N.  pero  ya  no  tan  fuerte  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  N.  E.  i  al  E. ,  d 
las  5  de  la  maiiana  ;  como  a  las  7  se  alargaron  los  rizos  d  las 
gavias  y  se  mareo  todo  el  velamen  ;  el  viento  se  fue  escaseando 
poco  d  poco.     Al  medio  rfh  observaron  los  senores  pilotos  48  gra- 


^w 


I(X) 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  Calijornia. 


dos  de  latitud  ;  por  la  tarde  se  escase6  tanto  el  viento  que  no  se 
caminaba  mas  que  dos  millns  por  hora,  el  sol  calento  muy  bien  y 
fu6  el  mejor  dia  que  hemos  tenido  en  toda  la  navegacion  asi  de 
calor  como  de  claridad.  Este  dia  vimos  varias  yervas  de  mar  que 
los  marineros  llaman  porras  y  son  buena  senal  de  no  estar  muy 
lejos  la  tierra  ;  el  viento  se  mantuvo  muy  flojo  toda  esta  tarde  y 
noche  siguiente  con  tiempo  muy  claro. 

Dia  6  d  las  12  de  la  noche  se  llam6  el  viento  al  N.  O.  muy 
lento  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  N.  E. ;  d  las  4  de  la  manana  habiendo 
amanecido  bien  claro  el  dia  y  no  divisandose  la  tierra  se  puso  la 
proa  al  N.  E.  ^  al  N.  ;  el  viento  desde  dicha  hora  comenzo  a 
refreticar  y  se  caminaba  a  3  millas  ;  a  las  1 1  se  diviso  la  tierra  muy 
lejos  y  parecio  ser  tierra  alta,  pues  se  miraba  por  proa  un  cerro 
nevado  y  al  parecer  muy  elevado.  A  las  1 2  observaron  los  seiiores 
pilotos  y  Don  Juan  nos  dijo  que  estabamos  en  los  48  grados  conio 
ayer  ;  pero  Don  Esteban  nos  dijo  que  habia  observado  48  grados  y 
52  minutos  ;  no  se  por  que  motive  hayan  discordado,  siendo  asi 
que  este  dia  como  los  demas  se  han  comunicado  el  punto  de  obser- 
vacion.  Por  la  tarde  prosiguio  el  mismo  viento  pero  cada  vez  mas 
lento  ;  a  las  8  de  la  noche  se  calmo  totalmente  el  viento  y  comenzo 
d  caer  mucho  rocio  con  alguna  nieblina  aunque  no  muy  densa  ;  a 
las  ri  se  espeso  mucho  la  nieblina. 

Dia  7  amanecio  en  calma  y  con  la  nieblina  tan  evSpesa  que  no  se 
podia  ver  de  popa  a  proa  y  con  muchisimo  rocio.  Este  dia  cele- 
bramos  el  santo  sacrificio  los  dos  padres.  No  pudieron  observar 
el  sol  los  seiiores  pilotos  porque  la  nieblina  se  mantuvo  todo  el  dia 
y  no  se  vio  el  sol  en  todo  el  dia.  Por  la  tarde  vimos  algunos  peces 
gffandes  que  parecian  taurones,  pero  dijeron  que  no  lo  eran  ;  estos 
son  los  primeros  peces  que  se  han  visto  en  todo  el  viaje.  Todo 
este  dia  y  noche  siguiente  se  mantuvo  en  calma. 

Dia  8  d  las  4  de  la  manana  comenzo  d  ventear  al  E.  lento  y 
variable  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  N. ,  este  dia  amanecio  muy  oscuro  el 
cielo,  pero  sin  nieblina  baja  ni  rocio ;  como  d  las  8  se  llam6  el 
viento  al  S.  E.  lento  y  con  la  proa  al  N.  E. ,  caminamos  para  la 
tierra  que  no  se  divisaba  ya  fuese  porque  las  corrientes  nos  hayan 
apartado  de  ella  durante  la  calma,  6  ya  por  lo  nublado  del  tiempo ; 
como  d  las  1 1  se  vio  la  tierra  y  no  se  divisaba  el  cerro  nevado  por- 
que la  costa  estaba  cubierta  de  niebla  ;  la  tierra  que  se  miraba  al 
N.  E.  como  d  distancia  de  6  leguas  es  tierra  medianamente  alta 
poblada  de  arboleda,  y  a  la  parte  del  S.  E.  hace  una  punta  tajada 
d  la  mar.  Toda  esta  manana  se  camino  d  3  millas  por  hora.  Al 
medio  dia  aclar6  muy  poco  el  sol  y  observaron  los  seiiores  pilotos  ; 


0  que  no  se 
muy  bien  y 
acion  asi  de 
ie  mar  que 

1  estar  muy 
esta  tarde  y 

N.  O.  muy 
la  habiendo 
a  se  puso  la 

comenzo  a 
I  tierra  muy 
roa  un  cerro 
1  los  senores 
rados  como 
48  grades  y 
»,  siendo  asi 
to  de  obser- 
ada  vez  mas 
)  y  comenzo 
ty  densa  ;  a 

I  que  no  se 
e  dia  cele- 
)n  observar 
todo  el  dia 
;unos  peces 
eran  ;  estos 
laje.     Todo 

E.  lento  y 
y  oscuro  el 
se  llam6  el 
iios  para  la 

nos  hayan 
iel  tiempo ; 
levado  por- 
i  miraba  al 

mente  alta 
mta  tajada 

hora.  Al 
res  pilotos  ; 


Doainicnts  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


lOI 


segun  me  dijo  Don  Esteban  nos  hallamos  en  49  grados  y  5 
minutos  de  latitud  ;  el  sefior  capitan  no  dijo  que  latitud  habia 
observado  ;  como  d  las  dos  de  la  tarde  hallandonos  3  leguas  de  la 
tierra  comenz6  a  calmarse  el  viento,  pero  con  algunas  ventolinas 
nos  acercamos  como  d  distancia  de  2  leguas  ;  aqui  se  sonde6  varias 
veces  y  se  encontr6  fondo  en  24  y  22  brazas.  Como  a  las  4  vinieron 
3canoas  de  gentiles,  en  una  venian  4  honibres,  en  otra  3  y  en  la 
otra  2 ;  estas  se  estuvieron  algo  apartadas  de  nuestro  barco  dando 
gritos  con  ademanes  de  que  nos  fueramos  de  alii,  pero  d  largo  rato 
habiendoles  hecho  senas  de  que  ke  arrimasen  sin  miedo,  se  acerca- 
ron,  y  les  dimos  d  entender  que  ibamos  en  busca  de  agua  ;  pero 
alios  no  debian  estar  satisfechos  de  nuestras  seiias  y  asi  se  volvieron 
a  sus  tierras.  Al  retirarse  estas  encontraron  otras  dos  canoas  que 
venian  para  nuestro  barco,  pero  habiendo  comunicado  con  los  que 
iban  de  retirada  se  volvieron  d  tierra  juntamente  con  ellos.  A  las 
6  habiendonos  acercado  d  la  tierra  como  una  legua  y  encontrado 
buen  fondo  en  25  brazas,  se  dejo  caer  una  ancla,  para  poder  al  dia 
siguiente  saltar  en  tierra  y  tomar  posesion  de  ella  en  nombre  del 
Rey  nuestro  senor  ;  cuando  se  dio  fondo  ya  se  habia  calmado  total- 
mente  el  v'*  nto.  Como  a  las  8  de  la  noche  vinieron  otras  3  canoas 
con  15  gen  'es  los  que  se  estuvieron  apartados  del  barco  dando 
gritos  en  t  no  de  lloros  ;  los  Uamamos  y  se  acercaron  y  d  breve 
rato  se  despidieron,  pero  se  estuvieron  como  un  tiro  de  fusil  de 
nuestro  barco  hasta  mas  de  las  1 1  de  la  noche,  hablando  entre  si 
mismos  y  dando  algunos  gritos.  Las  canoas  de  estos  gentiles  no 
son  tan  grandes  como  las  que  vinios  en  la  punta  de  Santa  Marga- 
rita en  las  55  grados,  ni  de  la  misma  figura,  las  mas  grandes  ten- 
dran  como  8  varas  en  largo,  tienen  la  proa  larga  en  canal  y  son 
maschatas  de  po^^..  ,  los  remos  son  muy  hermosos  y  pintados,  que 
forman  una  paleta  con  una  punta  como  de  una  cuarta  al  extremo. 
Dichas  canoas  parecen  Jier  de  una  pieza  aunque  no  todas,  pues 
vimos  algunas  cosidas,  pero  todas  estan  muy  bien  trabajadas. 

Dia  9  amanecio  en  calma  y  claro  d  la  parte  del  N.  O. ,  pero  por 
los  demas  vientos  cubiertos  de  nieblas  ;  habiendo  amanecido  com- 
enz6  la  gente  d  hechar  la  lancha  d  la  agua  para  ir  a  tierra;  cuando 
se  estaba  en  esta  maniobra  llegaron  15  canoas  en  que  venian  como 
cien  hombres  y  algunas  mujeres  ;  dandoles  d  entender  que  se 
arrimasen  sin  miedo,  se  acercaron  luego  y  comenzaron  d  comerciar 
con  los  nuestros  cuanto  traian  en  sus  canoas,  que  se  reducia  d 
cueros  de  nutria  y  otros  animates,  sombreros  de  junco  pintados 
con  una  pera  en  lo  alto  de  ellos,  y  tegidos  de  una  especie  de 
canamos  con  sus  flecos  de  lo  mismo  con  que  se  cubren  y  los  mas 


I02 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


tienen  una  esclavina  de  este  tegido  ;  los  nuestros  les  compraron 
varias  piezas  por  trajes  viejos,  conchas  de  lapa  quehabian  traidode 
Monterey  y  algunos  cuchillos  ;  k  estos  y  d  las  conchas  manifestaron 
mas  aficion.  No  vimos  entre  estos  gentiles  tegidos  de  lana  conio 
en  Santa  Margarita,  ni  andan  tan  cubiertos  conio  aquellos  ;  las 
mugeres  no  tienen  rodeta  en  el  labio.  Tambien  d  estos  se  les 
vieron  algunos  hierros  y  cobre.  Como  d  las  6  de  la  maiiana 
estando  ya  la  lancha  en  la  agua  se  levant6  el  viento  del  O. ,  y  se 
reparo  que  nos  echaba  sobre  la  tierra  arrastrando  la  ancla,  lucgo 
se  empezo  a  levar  dicha  ancla,  pata  ponernos  d  la  vela  y  salir  del 
peligro  pero  el  mucho  viento  y  marejada  nos  llevabau  por  instantes 
sobre  la  costa,  por  lo  cual  fu^  precise  cortar  el  cable  y  perder  el 
cable.  Cortado  el  cable  nos  hicimos  d  la  vela  con  la  proa  al  S, 
O.  4^  al  S.  y  con  mucho  trabajo  pudimos  rebasar  una  punta  de 
piedras  que  sale  de  la  tierra  como  una  legua.  Al  dicho  fondeadero 
llam6  el  seiior  capitan  la  Rada  de  San  Lorenzo,  a  unos  cerros 
que  estan  al  N.  O.  de  la  Rada  llam6  los  cerros  de  Santa  Clara,  y  i 
la  punta  que  esta  al  S.  E.  le  puso  el  nombre  de  San  Estevan, 
Dicha  Rada  segun  nos  dijo  el  seiior  capitan  estd  en  49  grados  y  30 
minutos  de  latitud  al  N.  Habiendo  rebasado  la  punta  de  piedras 
y  apartadonos  de  la  tierra  como  3  leguas  era  tanta  la  marejada 
y  viento  que  fue  menester  aferrar  todas  las  velas  menos  la  trinque- 
tilla  para  poder  subir  d  bordo  la  lancha  que  cost6  mucho  trabajo  y 
falt6  poco  a  perderla  con  algunos  marineros ;  subida  la  lancha 
se  alargaron  las  velas  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  S.  S.  O. ,  el  viento  era 
cada  vez  mas  recio  y  mayor  la  marejada.  Al  medio  dia  observaron 
los  senores  pilotos  y  segun  nos  dijo  el  seiior  capitan  nos  hallamos 
en  49  grados  y  1 2  minutos  ;  por  la  tarde  se  llam6  el  viento  al  N. 
O.  y  se  fue  mitigando  cada  vez  mas  de  modo  que  al  anochecer  eta 
ya  muy  poco  y  d  la  noche  se  calm6. 

Dia  10  amanecio  en  calma  y  el  cielo  nublado  pero  sin  nieblina 
baja  y  se  miraba  la  costa  aunque  confusa  d  distancia  de  15  leguas, 
Este  dia  digimos  miba  los  dos  padres.  Al  medio  dia  no  aclar6  el 
sol,  por  lo  que  no  pudieron  observar  los  sefiores  pilotos  su  eleva- 
cion.  Todo  este  dia  estuvo  nublado  el  cielo  y  en  calma  aunque 
por  la  tarde  hubo  tal  qual  ventolina  del  N.  O.  pero  tan  lenta  que 
ap';nas  se  percibia  el  movimiento  del  barco  ;  por  la  noche  se  des- 
pejo  algo  el  cielo,  y  prosigui6  la  calma. 

Dia  1 1  amanecio  en  calma  y  nublado  el  cielo  como  el  dia  ante- 
cedente  ;  la  costa  se  miraba  bien  clara  al  N.  E.  como  a  distancia 
de  10  leguas  y  d  la  parte  del  E.  y  del  N.  mas  retirada.  El  mar 
venia  del  N.  O.  con  algunas  ventolinas  interpoladas  y  se  conocia 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


103 


2s  compraron 
bian  traidode 
manifestaron 
de  lana  como 
aquellos  ;  las 
i  estos  se  les 
e  la  manana 
I  del  O. ,  y  se 
ancla,  lucgo 
la  y  salir  del 
I  por  instantes 
B  y  perder  el 
la  proa  al  S. 
una  punta  de 
ho  fondeadero 
i  unos  cerros 
nta  Clara,  y  i 
San  Estevan. 
.9  grades  y  30 
ita  de  piedras 
ta  la  marejada 
10s  la  trinque- 
icho  trabajo  y 
ida  la  lancha 
el  viento  era 
ia  observaron 
nos  hallamos 
viento  al  N. 
anochecer  era 

sin  nieblina 
de  15  leguas. 

no  aclar6  el 
tos  su  eleva- 
alma  aunque 
tan  lenta  que 
loche  se  des- 

el  dia  ante- 
)  a  distancia 
ada.  El  mar 
y  se  conocia 


que  nos  iba  llevando  al  E.  N.  E.  A  donde  se  governaba  el  barco 
desde  que  cahn6  el  viento  fresco.  Al  E.  se  divisaba  un  cerro  muy 
alto  cubierto  de  nievc  que  parecia  una  barranca  blanca  d  priniera 
vista  ;  lo  demas  de  la  tierra  tambien  es  alta  y  muy  quebrada  pero 
sin  nieve  toda  ella  d  escepcion  de  dicho  cerro.  Como  d  las  10 
aclar6  algo  el  sol,  y  al  medio  dia  observaron  los  senores  pilotos  48 
grados  y  9  minutos  de  latitud  segun  dijo  el  senor  capitan.  Por  la 
tarde  prosiguieron  las  ventolinas  del  N.  O.  algo  mas  fuertes  pero 
no  continuas.  A  las  3  se  puso  la  proa  al  E.  y  desde  las  4  couienz6 
i  refrescar  el  N.  O.  y  se  caminaba  d  dicho  rumbo  d  3  millas  por 
hora  ;  d  las  5  estando  d  distancia  de  7  leguas  del  cerro  nevado  (al 
que  llam6  el  seiior  capitan  el  cerro  de  Santa  Rosalia)  se  conocio 
que  no  era  barranca  blanca  como  aseguraban  algunos,  y  mas  al  N. 
se  divisaban  otros  picachos  nevados ;  el  dicho  cerro  nevado  de 
Santa  Rosalia  parece  desde  lejos  que  estd  tajado  d  la  mar  pero  en 
acercandose  se  conoce  rue  estd  tierra  adentro  algo  apartado  de  la 
costa  como  el  cerro  nevado  que  estd  al  N.  de  la  rada  de  S.  Loren- 
zo. A  las  6  se  cerr6  todo  de  una  nieblina  tan  espesa  y  humeda 
que  no  se  veia  de  popa  d  proa  pero  se  desvaneci6  en  menos  de  una 
hora  quedando  el  tiempo  claro  y  oscuros  los  orizontes.  Desde  las 
7  se  gobern6  al  S.  E.  con  animo  de  mantenernos  sobre  la  costa 
para  ver  si  el  dia  siguiente  se  podia  hallar  surgidero ;  el  viento 
prosi|jui6  lento  del  N.  O.  y  d  las  10  de  la  noche  volvi6  la 
nieblina. 

Diii  12  d  las  12  de  la  madrugada  se  cambi6  el  viento  al  S.  S.  E. 
y  se  puso  la  proa  al  E.,  la  nieblina  arrojaba  tanto  rocio  que  pare- 
cia aguacero  ;  d  las  4  se  vir6  de  bordo  para  fueia  con  la  nroa  al  O. 
i  al  S.  O.  por  estar  tan  oscuro  el  tiempo  d  causa  de  la  nieblina 
que  ro  se  podia  ver  la  tierra  estando  tan  cerca  ;  esta  raaiiana  llovi6 
bastaute  con  algunos  chuvascos  ;  el  viento  no  fu6  muy  fresco  pero 
se  seutia  el  frio  por  la  mucha  humedad  ;  d  las  9  se  Uamo  el  viento 
al  S.  O.  y  se  vir6  de  bordo  para  tierra  con  la  proa  al  S.  E.  Este 
dia  no  pudieron  observar  por  estar  tan  nieblinosa  que  no  se  vi6  el 
sol  en  todo  ^1 :  d  las  4  de  la  tarde  volvi6  d  llamarse  el  viento  al  S. 
y  se  volvi6  d  virar  para  fuera  con  la  proa  al  O.  \  al  S.  O. ,  por 
la  noche  carg6  mucho  la  nieblina  y  estuvo  llovisnando  hasta  el 
amanecer  ;  el  viento  se  mantuvo  variable  del  S.  al  S.  O.  y  muy 
lento  toda  la  noche  que  pasamo«  dando  bordos  sobre  la  tierra. 

Dia  13  al  amanecer  aclar6  el  cielo  y  tuvimos  como  dos  horas  de 
buen  sol ;  como  d  las  7  se  volvi6  d  nublar  el  cielo.  Esta  maiiana 
amanecimos  cerca  de  la  costa  como  d  distancia  de  5  leguas  y  se 
divispba  bastante  tramo  de  tierra  no  muy  alta  poblada  de  arboleda 


I04 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


que  hace  varias  abras  conio  ensenadas,  pero  como  el  viento  era 
poco  y  de  travesia  no  se  podia  arrimar  a  ella  :  como  d  las  9  refresc6 
muy  bien  el  S.  O.  con  mucha  marejada.  Toda  esta  nianana 
caminamos  al  S.  E.  y  al  S.  ;J  al  S.  E.  No  pudieron  observar  por 
estar  nublado  el  cielo  ;  por  la  tarde  aclar6  algunos  ratos  el  sol  y  el 
viento  se  Uamo  al  O.  no  muy  fresco  pero  con  mucha  marejada  ;  por 
la  noche  sopio  variable  del  O.  al  N.  O.  y  balance6  mucho  el 
barco  ;  toda  esta  tarde  y  noche  se  gobern6  al  S.  \  al  S.  E.  y  se 
caminaba  d  dos  millas  y  media  por  hora,  el  cielo  qued6  nublado 
con  nubes  muy  gruesas  y  negras  (lue  arrojaron  algunas  gotas  de 
agua. 

Dia  14  amanecio  con  el  cielo  nublado  aunque  no  como  el  dia  y 
noche  antecedente  ;  el  viento  se  llam6  al  N.  bastante  flojo  y  como 
la  marejada  era  del  O.  daba  tan  fuertes  valances  el  barco  que  no 
podiamos  tenernos  en  pie,  por  lo  cual  no  fu6  posible  decir  misa 
este  dia.  Aunque  la  costo  estaba  muy  oscura  por  la  niebla  que 
en  ella  liabia  divisamos  la  tierra  al  E.  d  las  7  de  la  manana  a 
distancia  como  de  8  leguas  6  algo  mas  ;  tambien  hubo  algunos 
chuvascos  esta  manana  con  alguna  agua  aunque  poca  ;  d  las  8  se 
llam6  el  viento  al  N.  E.  muy  lento  y  variable,  el  cielo  se  despej6 
varias  veces  pero  cada  rato  se  volvia  d  nublar  con  chuvascos.  Al 
medio  dia  observaron  los  senores  pilotos  el  sol  en  46  grados  y  8 
minutos  de  latitud  segun  nos  dijo  el  senor  capitan,  pero  no  queda- 
ron  satisfechos  de  esta  observacion  porque  estando  haciendola  vino 
un  chuvasco  y  oscureci6  el  sol :  por  la  tarde  prosigui6  ventoleando 
del  N.  E.  y  la  marejada  del  O.  cuasi  tan  fuerte  como  por  la  mafia- 
na  ;  d  la  noche  se  volvio  el  viento  al  N.  fresco  y  se  camin6  toda  la 
noche  d  3  millas  y  media  por  hora  con  la  proa  al  S.  S.  E. ;  el  cielo 
quedo  claro  y  despejado. 

Dia  15  amanecio  muy  claro  y  limpio  el  cielo,  el  viento  fresco 
como  por  la  noche  ;  este  dia  aunque  liabia  bastante  valanceo  pot 
venir  la  mar  del  O.  dije  misa  con  algun  trabajo;  el  Padre  Fray 
Juan  no  la  dijo  por  miedo  de  los  valanceos.  Al  amanecer  estaba- 
mos  sobre  la  costa  como  d  distancia  de  4  leguas  y  se  divisaba 
raucho  tramo  de  tierra  medianamente  alta  poblada  de  arboleda 
segun  me  dijeron,  pero  yo  no  la  distinguia  ;  este  tramo  de  tierra 
corre  de  N.  N.  O.  d  S.  S.  E.  segun  dijo  el  seiior  capitan.  Desde 
las  3  de  la  maiiana  que  se  diviso  la  tierra  hasta  las  8  se  govern6  al 
S.  \  al  S.  E.  y  desde  las  8  se  puso  la  proa  al  S.  S.  E.  Al  medio 
dia  observaron  los  seiiores  pilotos  y  segun  dijo  el  seiior  capitan  nos 
hallamos  en  44  grados  y  35  minutos.  Toda  esta  manana  camina- 
mos costeando  la  tierra  apartados  de  ella  como  3  leguas ;  por  la 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


105 


1  viento  era 
las  9  refresc6 
sta  manana 
)bservar  por 
)S  el  sol  y  el 
arejada ;  por 

5  raucho  el 
il  S.  E.  y  se 
2d6  nublado 
las  gotas  de 

mo  el  dia  y 
flojo  y  como 
arco  que  no 
decir  misa 
.  niebla  que 
la  manana  i 
xbo  algunos 
I ;  d  las  8  se 
3  se  despej6 
vascos.      Al 

6  grades  y  8 
o  no  queda- 
iendola  vino 
ventoleando 
Dor  la  niana- 
min6  toda  la 

E. ;  el  cielo 

iriento  fresco 
alanceo  poi 

Padre  Fray 
ecer  estaba- 

se  divisaba 
de  arboleda 
mo  de  tierra 
tan.  Desde 
;  govern6  al 
Al  medio 
•  capitan  nos 
ana  camina- 

uas ;  per  la 


tarde  se  nrosigui6  al  miamo  rumbo  y  se  miraba  muy  clara  la  costa 
porque  no  estaba  tan  humeda  la  tierra  como  por  la  manana. 
Tiene  esta  tierra  mucha  arboleda  que  a  la  vista  aparece  Pineria,  no 
solo  en  la  cumbre  sine  en  las  faldas  de  los  cerros.  En  las  playas 
se  miran  algunas  mesas  sin  arboleda  con  mucho  zacate  y  varias 
barrancas  blancas  tajadas  d  la  mar  :  tambien  se  ven  algunas  cana- 
das  6  abras  que  corren  N.  E.  N.  O.  y  en  toda  la  tierra  que  este  dia 
vimos  no  divisamos  nieve,  y  cuanto  mas  al  S.  es  tierra  mas  baja. 
A  las  6  se  repar6  que  la  tierra  salia  por  la  proa  al  S.  por  lo  cual 
desde  dicha  hora  se  govern6  al  S.  O.  hasta  las  8  que  se  puso  la 
proa  al  S.  y  asi  se  camin6  toda  la  noche.  Todo  este  dia  hizo 
buen  sol,  pero  el  viento  muy  frio  y  tan  fuerte  que  al  anochecer 
caminabamos  d  cinco  millas  y  media  por  hora  solo  con  las  dos 
mayores  y  las  gavias  tomados  sus  rizos. 

Dia  16  amaneci6  claro  y  limpio  el  cielo,  como  ayer,  pero  los 
orizontes  muy  ofuscados  con  nieblina  d  modo  de  humo,  el  viento 
fresco  aiinque  no  tanto  como  por  la  noche  ;  no  se  divis6  la  tierra 
por  estar  tan  humeda,  pero  se  hizo  juicio  que  no  estaria  muy  lejas 
porque  el  sol  estaba  ya  muy  alto  cuando  lo  vimos.  A  las  5  de  la 
mafiana  se  puso  la  proa  al  S.  S.  E. ,  d  las  8  comenzo  d  calmarse  el 
viento  y  la  niebla  cada  vez  mas  espesa  de  suerte  que  apenas  se 
podia  ver  el  sol :  d  las  1 2  ya  estaba  del  todo  calmado  el  viento  ; 
observaron  los  sefiores  pilotos  y  segun  dijo  el  senor  capitan  estaba- 
mos  en  43  grados  y  38  minutos.  Por  la  tarde  carg6  mucha  nie- 
blina humeda  y  fria  con  algunas  ventolinas  del  S.  E.  y  del  E.  N. 
E.  variables ;  al  ponerse  el  sol  aclar6  algo  el  cielo  quedando  los 
orizontes  muy  claros  salvo  por  el  O.  ;  como  d  las  9  de  la  noche 
estaban  despejados  los  orizontes  por  todos  rumbos  pero  luego  se 
volvieron  d  ofuscar  y  cay6  mucho  rocio.  En  todo  este  dia  no  se 
pudo  divisar  la  costa  por  causa  de  la  nieblina  y  porque  sin  duda 
estabamos  bien  apartados  de  ella,  pues  no  la  pudimos  ver  a  las  9 
de  la  noche  estando  muy  clara  la  luna  y  los  orizontes  como  he 
dicho.  En  esta  latitud  conjeturo  que  estard  el  cabo  bianco  de  San 
Sebastian  y  aquel  famoso  rio  hondable  Uamado  de  Martin  de 
Aguilar  y  descubierto  por  la  fragata  de  su  mando  en  la  espedicion 
del  general  Sebastian  Vizcaino,  pues  aunque  dice  la  historia  que 
dicho  cabo  y  rio  estd  en  los  43  grados  segun  la  observacion  que 
hizo  el  piloto  de  dicha  fragata  Antonio  Flores,  se  debe  pensar  sea 
menor  latitud  como  se  ha  hallado  menor  en  los  parages  que  se  ha 
observado  con  los  nuevos  octantes  que  la  que  en  aquellos  tiempos 
observaron  con  sus  instrumentos.  A  las  once  y  media  de  la  noche 
comenz6  d  ventear  lentamente  del  N.  O.  y  d  poco  rato  se  llam6  al 


io6 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


N.  y  dur6  toda  la  noche  cada  vez  mas  recio:  la  proa  toda  la  noche 
estuvo  al  S.  \  al  S.  O. 

Dia  17  amaneci6  con  bastante  nieblina  y  el  viento  tan  fuerteque 
fu^  menester  aferrar  las  belas  y  quedarnos  con  solo  el  trinquete : 
desde  las  5  en  que  se  hizo  dicha  nianiobra  se  governo  al  S. ;  no  s^ 
lo  que  caminaba  el  barco  porque  ya  no  se  hechaba  la  corredera  ;  a 
las  6  comenz6  d  despejarse  el  cielo  y  aclarar  algo  los  orizontes.  A 
las  12  observaron  los  senores  pilotos  41  grados  y  27  miniitos  de 
latitud  segun  dijo  el  seiior  capitan  ;  d  la  una  habiendose  mitigado 
el  viento  alguna  cosa  se  mareo  el  velacho  y  la  mayor:  d  dicha  hora 
se  puso  la  proa  al  S.  S.  E.  y  d  este  rumbo  se  camin6  toda  la  tarde. 
No  se  vi6  la  tierra  este  dia  con  haber  estado  bien  claro,  aunque  los 
orizontes  siempre  estuvieron  humados.  Por  la  noche  afloj6  algo 
el  viento  y  se  governo  al  S.  E.  y  al  S.  E.  i  al  S. :  esta  noche  hizo 
mas  frio  que  en  todo  el  tiempo  del  viaje,  pero  estuvo  clara  hasta 
cerca  de  amanecer. 

Dia  18  como  d  las  4  de  la  manana  se  cubri6  de  niebla  muy 
espesa  y  humeda,  el  viento  se  qued6  cuasi  calmado  pero  no  del 
todo  y  se  prosiguio  con  la  proa  al  S.  E.  que  con  el  poco  viento  y 
la  marejada  del  N.  algo  se  caminaba  ;  esta  manana  se  sintio 
mucho  mas  el  frio ;  d  las  10  comenz6  d  aclararse  el  sol  aunque 
poco.  No  pudieron  observar  este  dia  por  la  nieblina,  pero  me 
hago  juicio  que  estariamos  en  40  grados  con  diferencia  de  pocos 
minutos :  d  la  una  se  aclaro  muy  bien  el  cielo  quedando  siempre 
oscuros  los  orizontes  escepto  por  la  parte  del  N.  O. :  toda  esta  tarde 
hizo  buen  sol  con  alpuniis  ventolinas  del  N. :  al  anochecer  refres- 
caron  un  poco  las  ventolinas  y  qued6  la  noche  muy  clara  hasta  las 
>  once  y  media  que  se  calm6  totalmente  el  viento  y  se  cubri6  todo 
de  nieblina  muy  espesa  y  cay6  tanto  rocio  que  parecia  haber 
llovido. 

Dia  19  amaneci6  en  calma  con  la  nieblina  y  el  rocio,  como  por 
la  noche  ;  esta  maiiana  apuntaron  algunas  ventolinas  del  S.  K.  y 
se  tuvo  la  proa  al  S.  O. ,  pero  era  muy  poco  el  movimiento  del 
barco  :  no  se  vi6  el  sol  en  toda  la  manana  por  causa  de  la  nieblina, 
ni  al  medio  dia  se  pudo  observar.  Por  la  tarde  prosigui6  en  calma 
y  hubo  algunas  ventolinas  del  N.  y  N.  E.  variables  y  se  mantuvo 
la  proa  al  S.  E.  y  S.  S.  E.,  como  d  las  7  comenz6  d  ventolear 
lentamente  del  N.  O.  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  S.  E.  i  al  E.  pero 
calm6  antes  de  las  8  y  toda  la  noche  se  pas6  en  calma.  En  todo 
este  dia  no  se  quit6  la  nieblina  ni  se  pudo  ver  el  sol ;  hizo  bastante 
frio  y  cay6  mucho  rocio.  Estas  humedades  pienso  son  la  causa 
del  mal  de  Loanda,  6  escorbuto  ;  pues  aunque  en  todo  el  viage  ha 


Documents  from  the  SutroCollection. 


m 


la  la  noche 

I  fuerte  que 

trinquete ; 

1  S. ;  no  s6 

jrredera ;  a 

izontes.     A 

minutos  de 

se  mitigado 

,  dicha  hora 

ida  la  tarde. 

aunque  los 

afloj6  algo 

I  noche  hizo 

Clara  hasta 

niebla  muy 
pero  no  del 
oco  viento  y 
la  se  sintio 
sol  aunque 
aa,  pero  me 
ia  de  pocos 
ido  siempre 
la  esta  tarde 
lecer  refres- 
ira  hasta  las 
cubri6  todo 
irecia  haber 

0,  como  por 

del  S.  E.  y 

i^imiento  del 

la  nieblina, 
ii6  en  calma 

se  mantuvo 
d  ventolear 
i  al  E.  pero 
En  todo 
lizo  bastante 
on  la  causa 

el  viageha 


habido  algunos  tocados  de  este  accidente,  no  se  han  visto  tan 
agravados  como  ahora  que  pasan  de  20  los  que  se  hallan  sin  poder 
servir  d  mas  de  otros  muchos  que  estan  aunque  en  pi6  llagados  de 
boca  y  piernas.y  creo  que  si  Dios  no  nos  envia  luego  otros  tiempos 
ha  de  perecer  de  dicho  nial  la  mayor  parte  de  la  tripulacion  segun 
van  en  enfermando  estos  dias  de  nieblina  huraeda  y  fria. 

Dia  20  amaneci6  en  calma  y  la  nieblina  tan  espesa,  fria  y  huni- 
eda  como  los  dias  antecedentes  y  dur6  todo  el  dia  sin  dejar  ver  el 
sol,  salvo  un  poco  que  acldro  al  medio  dia,  en  cuanto  se  conocia  en 
donde  estaba  ;  d  este  tiempo  observ6  el  sefior  capitan  el  sol  en  39 
grados  y  48  minutos  de  latitud,  pero  dijo  que  no  era  segura  dicha 
observacion  por  razon  de  la  poca  claridad  del  sol  y  estar  oscuros 
los  orizontes.  Por  la  tarde  se  aferraron  las  velas  porque  se  hacian 
pedazos  con  los  golpes  que  daban  contra  la  jarcia  d  causa  de  la 
calma  y  valanceo.  Todo  este  dia  y  noche  cay6  mucho  rocio  y  la 
nieblina  fu6  en  estremo  espesa  y  fria  lo  cual  tiene  d  todos  en  mucho 
desconsuelo  por  ver  que  la  gente  se  va  enfermando  y  que  no  se  sabe 
de  fijo  en  donde  nos  hallamos,  por  hacer  ya  tres  dias  que  los 
senores  pilotos  no  han  podido  observar  con  seguridad.  Dios  sea 
servido  darnos  lo  que  convenga. 

Dia  21  d  la  una  de  la  madrugada  comenz6  d  ventolear  lenta  y 
variablemente  del  E.,  del  E.  S.  E.  y  del  S.  E. :  al  amanecer  era 
tanta  la  humedad  de  la  nieblina  que  parecia  aguacero.  lyas  vento- 
linas  se  calmaron  luego  y  solo  Servian  para  romper  las  velas.  Este 
dia  dije  misa,  y  el  padre  Fray  Juan  no  la  dijo  por  hallarse  algo 
indispuesto  del  estomago.  A  las  9  de  la  maiiana  volvi6  otra  vez  d 
ventear  del  S.  E.  muy  lento  y  se  caminaba  aunque  poco  al  S.  S. 
0. ;  d  las  once  y  media  se  vir6  de  bordo  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  E.  N. 
E. ;  al  medio  dia  aclar6  un  poco  el  sol  y  el  seiior  capitan  observ6 
aunque  sin  ccrteza  39  grados  y  30  minutos  de  latitud  ;  por  la  tarde 
se  espes6  mucho  la  nieblina  y  arrojaba  mucho  rocio  frio  como  un 
hielo  con  ventolinas  del  S.  E. ;  d  las  6  de  esta  tarde  se  levanto  la 
nieblina  y  aclar6  algo  el  tiempo  aunque  el  cielo  qued6  nublado  y 
prosiguio  ventoleando  algo  mas  fresco  del  S.  E.  y  del  S.  S.  E. 
variable:  por  la  noche  se  aclar6  algo  mas  el  cielo  y  se  vi6  la  luna  : 
toda  la  noche  hubo  algunas  ventolinas  y  se  camino  con  la  proa  al 
E.  N.  E.  y  al  E.  i  al  N.  E. 

Dia  22  amanecio  nublado  el  cielo  pero  sin  nieblina,  ni  rocio  y 
algo  despejados  los  orizontes  ;  como  d  las  5  se  vio  la  costa  d  dis- 
tancia  de  6  leguas  ;  d  la  parte  del  N.  se  miraba  una  punta  de  tierra 
tajada  d  la  mar  que  demoraba  al  N.  N.  O.  como  d  distancia  de  9 
leguas  y  la  tierra  que  sigue  desde  dicha  punta  al  S.  E.  es  muy  alta  y 


m 


Historicai  Society  of  Southern  California. 


quebrada  por  mas  de  5  leguas  y  la  que  se  sigue  al  S.  E.  que  es  la 
que  tenenios  mas  cerca  al  K-  es  tierra  mediana  poblada  de  arboleda 
i.  lo  menos  en  la  curabre  que  se  vi6  bien  clara  al  salir  el  sol ;  por 
el  S.  E.  se  mlraba  mucho  tramo  de  tierra  mas  baja  como  lomeria 
La  dicha  punta  que  nos  deraoraba  al  N.  N.  O.  hicimos  juicio  que 
serd  el  cabo  Mendocino  y  siendo  asf  estard  dicho  cabo  en  40  grados 
con  diferencia  de  pocos  minutos  segun  la  observacion  que  aycr 
hizo  el  sefior  capitan  y  el  rumbo  d  que  henios  caminado  ;  d  las 
cinco  y  media  se  vir6  para  afuera  con  la  proa  al  S.  O.  y  al  S.  S.  0. 
con  ventolinas  variables  del  S.  E.  y  S.  S.  E. :  esta  maiiana  aclaro 
algunos  el  sol  y  d  cada  instante  se  cubria  de  nublados,  pero  estuvo 
mas  templado  el  tiempo  que  los  dias  antecedentes  ;  al  medio  dia 
aclar6  muy  bien  el  sol  y  los  orizontes  por  todos  vientos,  observaron 
los  sefiores  pilotos  muy  d  su  satisfaccion  y  dijo  el  seiior  r  itan 
que  nos  hallabamos  en  39  grados  y  46  minutos  de  latitud  :  i  10  d 
las  3  de  la  tarde  se  cubrio  otra  vez  el  cielo  de  nubes  ;  d  las  cuatro 
se  vir6  de  bordo  para  tierra  con  la  proa  al  E.  N.  E.  manteniendose 
muy  lento  el  S.  E. ,  d  las  5  se  volvi6  d  virar  de  bordo  y  luego  se 
calm6  el  poco  viento  que  liabia  :  toda  la  noche  se  pas6  en  calma 
con  tal  qual  ventolinas  del  S.  E.  y  el  cielo  qued6  nublado  no  muy 
oscuro  y  con  nieblina  por  los  orizontes,  pero  no  cayo  mucho 
rocio. 

Dia  23  al  amanecer  se  divis6  la  costa  aunque  retirada  y  confusa 
por  la  nieblina  que  en  ella  habia  ;  esta  maiiana  comenz6  d  soplar 
muy  lento  del  S.  S.  E.  y  navegamos  al  S.  O.  y  luego  se  perdi6  de 
vista  la  costa  porque  se  cerro  de  nieblina  espesa  por  todas  partes  : 
desde  las  9  aclar6  algunos  ratos  el  sol  pero  duraban  muy  poco  ; 
este  dia  no  se  sinti6  frio  sino  tiempo  muy  templado,  a  las  die?, 
comenzo  d  refrescar  algo  el  viento  y  el  cielo  se  oscureci6  mucho  de 
motlo  que  no  pudieron  observar  el  sol  ;  por  la  tarde  afloj6  el  viento 
y  d  las  6  se  calm6  totalmente  ;  desde  las  8  comenz6  d  llovisnar  y 
prosigui6  hasta  las  1 2  d  intervalos  ;  como  d  las  diez  de  la  noche 
comenz6  a  ventear  del  E.  muy  lento  y  luego  se  llam6  al  N.  E. 
algo  mas  recio  y  se  camino  toda  la  noche  al  S.  E.  \  al  E. 

Dia  24  antes  de  amanecer  se  llam6  el  viento  al  N.  medianamente 
fresco  y  sopl6  hasta  las  8  de  la  manana  que  se  quedo  en  calma 
cuasi  del  todo.  Esta  maiiana  celebramos  misa  los  dos  padres.  El 
cielo  se  mantuvo  nublado  de  modo  que  solo  d  las  6  se  vi6  un  poco 
el  sol ;  como  a  las  10  volvi6  d  ventear  el  N.  bastante  fresco  pero 
d  cada  rato  se  escaseaba  ;  d  las  1 1  se  oscurecio  mucho  el  cielo  con 
amagos  de  agua,  cayeron  algunas  gotas,  aunque  pocas,  luego  se 
cerr6  de  nieblina  humeda  pero  no   muy   espesa.      No  pudieron 


Doaiments  from  the  Suiro  Collection. 


W| 


(jue  es  la 
e  arboleda 
1  sol ;  por 
0  lomeria. 
juicio  que 
40  grades 

que  ayor 
do  ;  k  la> 
al  S.  S.  O. 
ana  aclaro 
lero  estuvo 
medio  dia 
abservaroii 
or  c  itan 
1 :  t  10  d 
las  cuatro 
teniendose 
y  luegose 

en  caltna 
do  no  muy 
lyo  mucho 

y  confusa 
6  &  soplar 
e  perdi6  de 
as  partes ; 
luy  poco  : 
a  las  die?. 
»  mucho  de 
6  el  viento 
lovisnar  y 
;  la  noche 
6  al  N.  E. 

E. 
lianamente 

en  calma 
•adres.  El 
io  un  poco 
fresco  pero 

cielo  con 
J,  luego  se 

pudieron 


observar  los  set^ores  pilotos  por  causa  de  estar  tan  nublado  y 
oscuro  el  tiempo.  A  las  4  de  la  tarde  mand6  el  senor  capitan 
governar  al  S.  \K.  porque  aunque  este  dia  no  se  vi6  la  tierra  se 
hizo  juicio  que  no  estariamos  muy  apartados  de  ella  y  que  sin 
duda  se  hubiera  visto  d  no  eslar  tan  oscuro  el  dia;  desde  las  8  de  la 
noche  valance6  mucho  el  barco  a  causa  de  venir  la  marejada  muy 
gruesa  del  N.:  desde  dicha  hora  sopl6  el  N.  O.  lento  y  se  puso 
la  proa  al  S.  E.  i  al  E. ,  el  cielo  estuvo  muy  oscuro  y  cerrados 
de  nieblina  los  orizontes. 

Dia  25  d  las  tres  y  media  de  la  manana  se  (iued6  en  calma  el 
viento,  pero  siempre  con  grande  marejada  del  N.  que  sin  duda  ha 
soplado  muy  fuerte  mas  arriba  ;  el  cielo  se  mantuvo  muy  oscuro 
toda  la  manana  con  bastante  nieblina  por  los  orizontes  y  de  cuando 
en  cuando  alguuas  ventolinas  del  E.  y  del  S.  E.  variables  ;  d  las 
1 1  coraenzo  d  soplar  algo  fresco  el  S.  E.  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  N.  E. ; 
en  dicha  hora  se  acl; -6  algo  el  cielo  y  se  vi6  el  sol,  pero  por  los 
orizontes  se  quedo  o  euro  como  antes;  a  las  12  ya  se  habia  calmado 
otra  vez  el  viento  ;  este  dia  observaron  los  senores  pilotos  y  nos 
dijo  elseiior  ca/itan  que  «  stabamos  en  38  grados  y  38  minutos  de 
latitud  ;  por  la  tarde  se  cubrio  el  cielo  de  nubes  y  hubo  algunas 
ventolinas  ya  del  N.  ya  del  S. ;  como  d  las  6  de  la  tarde  se  fij6  el 
viento  del  N.  N.  O.  lento  y  por  la  noche  refresc6  algo  mas.  pero 
variable  del  N.  O.  y  del  O.  N.  O. ;  desde  las  6  hasta  las  8  se 
govern6  al  E.  S.  E.  y  lo  demas  de  la  noche  al  S.  E.  i  al  E. , 
la  noche  estuvo  muy  oscuro  y  con  bastante  nieblina  humeda. 

Dia  26  amaneci6  con  mucha  nieblina  y  rocio,  el  viento 
escaso  :  luego  que  amanecio  se  puso  la  proa  al  E.  S.  E. ;  no  se 
pudo  divisar  la  costa  por  la  mucha  nieblina  y  oscuridad  del  tiempo, 
pero  viraos  muchos  pajaros  de  tierra  grandes  y  chicos  y  varios 
patos  que  decian  ser  de  agua  dulce  ;  d  las  8  ya  el  viento  se  qued6 
en  calma  y  la  nieblina  despedia  tanto  rocio  que  parecia  Uuvia  ;  d 
las  9  volvi6  d  ventolear  del  N.  O.  y  luego  refresc6  muy  bien  y  se 
aclar6  algo  el  tiempo  :  d  las  10  se  divisaron  al  S.  E.  d  distancia 
de  legua  y  media  los  Farallones  de  San  Francisco  qiie  estan  al  S. 
0.  de  la  punta  de  Reyes  y  p'lerto  de  San  Francisco  como  d  distan- 
cia de  5  leguas  segun  dijo  el  sefior  capitan  ;  en  cuanto  se  vieron 
dichos  Farallones  mando  el  sefior  capitan  poner  la  proa  al  S.  O. 
para  dejarlos  d  sotavento,  por  no  saber  si  hay  paso  bueno  entre 
ellos  y  la  costa  ;  como  el  viento  era  fresco  d  las  1 1  ya  estabamos 
sobre  ellos  y  divisamos  mas  al  S.  E.  otro  monton  de  Farallones 
apartados  de  los  primeros  como  dos  leguas  al  S.  E.  Los  primeros 
son  siete  picachos  altos  unos  mayores  ^ae  otros  con  algunas  piedras 


toda 


muy 


ito 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


anegadas  cerca  de  ellos,  j-  ocupan  entre  todos  corao  el  circuito  de 
una  legua  :  pasamos  muy  cerca  de  ellos.  Los  de  la  parte  del  S.  E. 
parecen  mayores  ;  no  pude  conocer  con  certidumbre  cuantos  son 
porque  pasamos  algo  retirados  de  ellos,  pero  me  parecio  que  eran 
seis  picachos  y  uno  de  los  del  medio  es  mayor  que  los  otros  ; 
cuando  estuvimos  poco  adelante  de  los  primeros  Farallones  se  puso 
la  proa  al  S.  \  al  S.  O.  y  a  las  12  se  puso  al  S.  \  al  S.  E. :  no  se 
pudo  divisar  la  costa  ni  observar  por  estar  muy  cargado  de  nieblina 
por  todas  partes.  Toda  la  tarde  sopl6  el  viento  dicho  muy  bonan- 
cible  y  e  ivegamos  al  S.  E. ,  al  ponerse  el  sol  aclar6  muy  bien  el 
cielo  y  los  orizontes  pfJi"  el  O.  y  N. ,  pero  por  el  E.  y  S.  quedaron 
oscuros,  por  lo  cual  no  pudimos  ver  la  tierra  :  por  la  noche  refresco 
un  poco  el  viento  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  3.  E.  \  al  E.  para  recalar  a 
la  costa  y  reconocerla  el  dia  siguiente  en  amaneciendo. 

Dia  27  amaneci6  el  dia  claro  aunque  algo  nublado  el  cielo  y 
oscuros  los  orizontes  con  nieblina  ;  luego  que  aclaro  el  dia  se  vio 
la  costa  por  el  E.  d  distaiicia  de  tres  leguas  y  dijeron  que  era  la 
punta  de  Ano  Nuevo  ;  ':aminamos  al  S.  E.  hasta  las  10  que  se 
divis6  la  punta  de  Pinos  y  luego  se  governo  al  E.  S.  E.  hasta  que 
se  di6  fondo.  A  las  9  dc  la  maiiana  se  aclar6  muy  bien  el  cielo  y 
tuvimos  buen  sol ;  al  medio  dia  observaron  los  seiiores  pilotos 
como  4  leguas  al  N.  O.  de  la  punta  de  Pinos  y  dijo  el  senor  cap- 
itan  que  habia  observado  36  grados  y  35  minutos  de  latitud  al  N. 
Por  la  tarde  prosiguio  fresco  el  viento  pero  se  fue  liamando  al  O.  y 
a  las  tres  estatido  sobre  la  dicha  punta  de  Pinos  se  llamo  al  S.  O. : 
a  las  4  de  la  tarde  poco  menos  se  dio  fondo  en  este  puerto  de  San 
Carlos  del  Monterrey.  Bendito  sea  Dios  y  alabado  para  siempre  y 
su  Santisima  Madre  Maria  Senora  Nuestra,  Amen.  Advierto  que 
en  todo  este  viaje  no  ha  habido  desgracia  alguna  en  el  barco : 
bendito  sea  Dios  pues  no  ha  faltado  palo,  ni  mastelero,  ni  cabo  de 
su  jarcia,  en  medio  de  haber  tenido  vientos  y  mares  fuertes  ;  pero 
es  cosa  notable  en  esta  mar  que  en  cuanto  se  apacigua  el  viento  se 
baja  y  sosiega  la  mar,  y  piensc  que  por  esta  causa  le  llamarian  los 
antiguos  el  mar  pacifico.  Tambien  advierto  que  desde  los  55  gra- 
dos de  latitud,  termino  a  que  lIeo[amos  hasta  el  puerto  de  Monter- 
rey no  hemos  podido  saber  si  hay  puertos,  ensenadas  u  otros 
surf'deros,  por  causa  de  lo  retirado  que  hemos  bajado  de  la  tierra 
y  por  la  oscuridad  de  los  tiempos  que  hemos  Lenido  los  mas  de  los 
dias  de  toda  la  navegacion.  :i°  todo  lo  cual  daran  mejor  razou  los 
senores  pilotos  como  inteligentes  y  practicos. 

Ultimamente  advierto  que  este  diario  lo  he  escrito  dia  por  dia  en 
el  viaje  por  habermelo  encargado  el  Reverendo  Padre  Presidente 


circuito  de 
te  del  S.  E. 
uantos  son 
6  que  eran 
;  los  otros  ; 
ines  se  puso 
.  E. :  no  se 
de  nieblina 
Quy  bonan- 
nuy  bieti  el 
I.  quedaron 
:he  refresco 
a  recalar  a 

el  cielo  y 
dia  se  vio 
que  era  la 
lo  que  se 
.  hasta  que 
a  el  cielo  y 
res  pilotos 
senor  cap- 
;itud  al  N. 
ido  al  O.  y 
6  al  S.  0.: 
!rto  de  San 
L  siempre  y 
Ivierto  que 
el  barco : 
ni  cabo  de 
srtes  ;  pero 
il  viento  se 
imarian  los 
los  55  gra- 
de Monter- 
as  u   otros 
de  la  tierra 
mas  de  los 
•  razou  los 

por  dia  en 
Presidente 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


Ill 


para  lo  cual  el  senor  capitan  me  ha  hecho  el  favor  de  comunicarme 
los  mas  dias  el  punto  de  latitud  que  observaba,  y  para  saber  el 
nimbo  k  que  se  navegaba  he  tenido  el  cuidado  de  mirar  a  raenudo 
la  haguja  en  la  vitacora.  Y  para  que  conste  ser  verdad  lo  que  en 
este  diario  tengo  escrito  lo  firmo  en  esta  mision  de  San  Carlos  de 
Moiite-Rey  dia  28  de  Agosto  de  1774. 

Fray  Tomas  or  la  PeSa. 
(hay  una  rubrica) 


TRANSLATION. 

Diary  of  the  voyage  which,  by  order  of  Father  Fray  Junipero 
Serra,  Preacher- Apostolic,  President  of  these  Missions  of  Monte- 
rey entrusted  to  the  care  of  Our  Holy  College  de  Propaganda  Fide 
of  San  Fernando  of  the  City  of  Mexico,  I  make  from  this  port  of 
San  Carlos  de  Monterey,  situate  on  the  coast  of  Northern  Cali- 
fornia, in  36"  30'  north  latitude,  in  His  Majesty's  Ship  called  the 
5aM//a^(7,  otherwise  the  A'ir^^' I  6'a//««,  commanded  by  Don  Juan 
Perez,  Alferez  Graduado  dc  Fragata,  Navigating  Officer  of  the  first 
class  among  those  serving  in  the  royal  department  of  San  Bias  and 
Captain-Commanding  of  the  expedition  '  which,  by  order  of  the 
Most  Excellent  Lord  Don  Frey  Antonio  Maria  Bucareli  y  Orsua, 
is  to  be  made  in  that  ship,  for  the  purpose  of  examining  the  coast 
from  said  port  of  Monterey  to  60°  rorth  latitude,  begun  on  the  6th 
of  June,  1774,  on  which  day  I  embarked,  in  company  with  the 
Reverend  Father  Fray  Juan  Crespi,  Preacher- Apostolic  of  said  col- 
lege and  Minister  of  the  Mission  of  San  Carlos  de  Monterey,  com- 
monly called  Carmelo. 

Jesus,  Mary  and  Joseph:  June,  1774. 
The  Reverend  Father  President  of  the  missions  of  Monterey, 
Fray  Jun{pero  Serra,  Commissioner  of  the  Holy  OflSce  and  Preacher- 
Apostolic  de  Propaganda  Fide  of  the  College  of  San  Fernando  of 
the  City  of  Mexico,  having  r-ssigned  me  as  companion  to  the  Rev- 
erend Father  Fray  Juan  Crespi,'  Preacher- Apostolic  of  said  College, 

1.  Aljertz  praduado  de  fragata  was  a  rank  in  t:he  Spanish  navy  ccrrespouding  to  that  of 
8ub-lieutenant  in  the  army. 

2.  It  will  be  noticed  that,  In  the  letter  of  PresMent  Serra  of  which  ;i  fac-glmile  Is  here- 
with pHbllstied,  the  final  letter  of  Father  Crespi's  name  is  apparently  ao.cented.  A  careful 
inspeotion  O!  the  President's  manuBcript  makes  it  evident  that  in  many  words  where  the 
latter  "i"  should  not  be  accented  h<:  appears  to  have  accented  that  letttjY.    The  Presideat'a 


lit 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


charged  with  the  duty  of  making  observations  for  the  determina- 
tion of  the  latitude  wherever  a  landing  shall  be  made  during  the 
progress  of  the  expedition : 

6th  June:  About  four  in  the  afternoon  we  set  forth  from  the  Mis- 
sion of  San  Cdrlos  de  Monterey,  about  one  league  distant  from  the 
Presidio  and  Port  of  Monterey,  which  place  we  reached  about  five; 
and,  having  taken  leave  of  the  captains  there,  we  came  on  board, 
the  Father  President  accompanying  us  to  the  shore,  where  he  gave 
us  his  last  embrace  and  good-bye.  At  sunset  we  arrwed  on  board. 
After  supping,  the  crew  put  on  board  ship  four  young  bulls  and 
some  pigs  which  the  Captain-Commanding  of  the  Presidio  present- 
ed to  the  cabin  me.ss.     This  night  we  weighed  anchor. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th  the  ship  was  warped  out  from  the  an- 
choring ground  and  brought  near  to  a  shallow  place  where  the  sea- 
weed grows  to  the  surface  of  the  water,  close  to  Point  Pinos  and 
about  a  musket-shot  distant  from  said  anchorage.  This  morning  the 
wind  was  northwest.  About  nine  the  anchor  which  had  served 
for  warping  the  ship  was  weighed  and  the  sails  were  loosed;  and, 
the  ceremony  of  hoisting  the  Spanish  flag  and  firing  a  gun  having 
been  observed,  we  made  two  or  three  tacks  seaward,  but,  the 
northwest  wind  increasing,  about  a  half  an  hour  after  noon  we 
went  back  to  an  anchorage  a  little  farther  out  than  where  the  ship 
had  anchored  when  her  cargo  was  discharged.  All  day  the  wind 
blew  from  th--  northwest  rather  fresh.  During  the  night  the  boat- 
swain sickened. 

At  dawn  on  the  8th  the  same  wind  was  blowing,  and  held  all 
day.  At  one  in  the  afternoon  we  saw  the  packet  San  Antonio, 
otherwise  Principe,  in  the  offing,  and  about  three  o'clock  she  came 
to  an  anchor. 

On  the  9th  we  remained  at  anchor,  lacking  a  favorable  wind. 
About  nine  o'clock  Captain  Don  Esteban  ^  and  we  two  fathers 
made  a  visit  to  the  fort,  meeting  there  the  Father  President, 
Father  Fray  Francisco  Palou  and  Father  Fray  Joseph  de  Mur- 
guia.  We  returned  on  board  to  dine,  and  the  Father  President 
slept  on  board  the  Principe  in  older  to  chant  a  mass,  offered  by  the 
navigating  officers,  or<  the  day  following. 

mHUUBCript  shows  that  he  wiu  a  tjulck,  nervouB  writer,  who  did  uot  waste  time  in  writing 
out  words  or  in  placing  accunts  properly.  Father  de  la  Pefla  does  not  accent  Kim  final  let- 
ter of  his  companion's  name.  In  the  document  which  follows  this, which  is  Father  Crespi'« 
own  diary,  it  will  be  noticed  that  he  himself  wrote  his  name  without  an  accent.  It  must  be 
admitted  that  these  clergymen  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church  knew  how  to  spell  their  own 
names  and  those  of  their  companions,  and,  therefore,  that  Mr.  H.  H.  Bancroft's  writers 
»re  in  error  when  thev  nlve  the  name  with  an  accent  on  the  final  letter. 

3.  This  was  Kstehan  (not  Kstevan,  as  given  by  H.  H.  Bancroft's  writers)  Martlnei, 
Assistant  navigating  ofdccr  of  the  expedition. 


determina- 
during  the 

m  the  Mis- 
it  from  the 
about  five; 
2  on  board, 
;re  he  gave 
i  on  board. 
:  bulls  and 
lio  present- 

om  the  an- 
ire  the  sea- 
Pinos  and 
Homing  the 
had  served 
aosed;  and, 
jun  having 
:d,  but,  the 
;r  noon  we 
re  the  ship 
,y  the  wind 
t  the  boat- 

d  held  all 
n  Ajitonio, 
c  she  came 

able  wind. 
hvo  fathers 
President, 
de  Mur- 
President 
jred  by  the 


ime  in  writlnK 
Utile  final  let- 
'ather  Crenpi'* 
Dt.  ItmuRibe 
pell  their  own 
croft'i  wrltert 

erg)  Martluei, 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


On  the  loth  a  solemn  mass  was  chanted  to  Most  Holy  Mary  for 
a  good  voyage,  in  the  same  place  where  the  mass  was  first  cele- 
brated in  Monterey.*  Fathers  Fray  Joseph  de  Murguia  and  Fray 
Francisco  Dumez,  Captains  Don  Fernando  de  Rivera,  Don  Pedro 
Pages  and  Don  Joseph  Cafiizares,  together  with  all  the  people  of 
the  Presidio  and  the  ships,  were  present.  We  all  dined  at  the 
same  place,  by  invitation  of  Captain  Don  Juan  Perez.  About 
three  in  the  afternoon  I  received  the  confession  of  the  boatswain, 
Manuel  Lopez;  soon  afterward  Father  Fray  Juan  Crespi  adminis- 
tered the  rite  of  extreme  unction,  and  he  expired  at  about  half 
past  four.  The  corpse  was  sent  to  the  church  at  the  Presidio,  that 
it  might  be  given  sepulture  by  the  fathers  ministers  of  the  Mission 
of  San  Cdrlos. 

The  I  ith  dawned  calm.  By  means  of  a  warp,  and  the  ship  being 
towed  by  the  longboats  of  the  two  vessels,  she  was  taken  to  the 
shallow  at  the  point  where  the  sea-weed  grows  to  the  surface. 
About  noon  we  made  sail,  with  the  wind  aom  the  north.  The 
longboat  of  the  Principe,  which  had  remained  behind  to  get  up  the 
anchor  used  in  warping,  could  not  overtake  us.  All  the  afternoon 
the  vessel  pitched  heavily,  for  her  head  was  to  the  sea.  At  night, 
the  ship  being  some  three  leagues  off  Point  Alio  Nuevo,  the  wind 
died  away. 

At  day-break  on  the  12th  it  was  calm.  We  two  fathers  cele- 
brated the  mass.  During  the  afternoon  the  wind  was  northwest, 
but  light,  and  at  sundown  it  died  away.  About  nine  o'clock  at 
night  the  wind  was  east,  but  it  shifted  about  and  soon  it  was  calm 
again.  All  night  long  there  were  light  shifting  winds,  with  a 
very  dense  and  wet  fog. 

The  13th  dawned  foggJ^  with  light  shifting  winds.  We  two 
fathers  celebrated  the  mass.  Because  of  the  heavy  fog  we  could  not 
see  the  coast  this  morning;  nor  could  the  navigating  officers  take 
an  observation.  All  the  afternoon,  and  the  night  following,  there 
was  a  dense  and  very  wet  fog. 

At  dawn  on  the  14th  it  was  calm,  with  a  thick  fog.  This  morn- 
ing we  saw  Point  Ano  Nuevo  about  two  leagues  distant,  and  the 
current  bore  us  so  near  to  the  coast  that  at  nine  it  was  only  a  quarter 
of  a  league  away.  At  that  hour  .everal  casts  of  the  lead  were 
made,  with  bottom  at  twenty-five,  twenty-four  and  twenty-two 
fathoms.     At  half  past  twelve  a  light  breeze  sprang  up  from  south- 

4.  Mr.  H.  H.  Bftno.roft'g  writer  (Hitlory  of  the  Facifle  States,  Xin.,22«)  nayg  that  this 
mags  was  said  "under  the  old  oak,  JiC."  In  this  diary  no  mention  Ib  made  of  au  oak,  and 
Father  Crcapl  (8ee  Document  No.  19)  lays  that  this  masR  was  celebrated  under  an  mmmada 
-a  ahelter  made  of  liougliEi.  He  adds  that  they  all  dined  together,  nenr  the  old  ouk  which 
Vizcaino  taw. 


114 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


west,  and  by  its  aid  we  drew  away  from  the  land.  During  the 
night  the  breeze  died  away  at  intervals,  and  the  ship  kept  tacking 
between  the  two  points. 

At  dawn  on  the  i5tli  we  were  west  of  Point  Pinos,  and  we  saw- 
clearly  Point  Cipreses,  the  bight  of  Carmelo  and  the  Sierra  of  Santa 
IvUcfa.  About  eight  o'clock  it  began  to  blow  rather  fresh  from  the 
northwest  but  before  nine  the  wind  died  away.  To-day  there  was 
not  so  much  fog  as  on  other  days,  but  the  sky  was  overcast, 
though  clear  at  intervals.  At  nightfall  we  were  about  six  leagues 
from  shore,  its  bearings  being  taken  by  the  navigating  officers, 
Point  Ano  Nuevo  bearing  northeast,  Point  Pinos  east,  and  the 
land  to  the  southward  of  Santa  Lucia  southeast. 

On  the  morning  of  the  i6th  we  saw  the  Sierra  of  Santa  Lucia, 
about  twelve  leagues  away.  The  day  dawned  cloudy,  as  yester- 
day was.  At  eight  in  the  morning  the  north-northwest  wind  fresh- 
ened. There  was  an  appearance  of  rain,  and  some  drops  fell;  but 
it  soon  ceased  to  rain  and  there  was  less  wind.  During  the  after- 
noon the  sky  was  clearer  and  the  wind  was  dying  away. 

The  17th  dawned  calm  amd  the  sky  was  very  cloudless  and  clear. 
About  one  in  the  afternoon  a  very  light  southwest  breeze  sprang 
up.  To  the  northeastward  we  saw  the  Sierra  of  Santa  Lucia, 
about  sixteen  leagues  away.  During  the  night  the  wind  shifted 
to  the  northwest  and  the  ship  went  about  and  stood  to  the  west- 
southwest. 

At  dawn  of  the  i8th  the  same  wind  held;  the  fog  was  very  thick 
and  so  damp  it  was  like  a  shower.  The  Captain  arose  this  morn- 
ing suffering  from  an  indisposition  of  the  stomach,  having  had  no 
ease  during  the  night;  but  at  noon  he  felt  better.  At  twelve  the 
navigating  officers  took  an  observation  and  said  that  we  were  in 
34°  57'  north  latitude.     During  the  afternoon  the  wind  freshened. 

At  dawn  on  the  19th  the  same  wind  was  blowing,  but  it  was 
very  strong  and  there  was  a  heavy  sea.  It  was  impossible  to 
celebrate  mass,  owing  to  the  rocking  of  the  ship.  At  eight  o'clock 
the  ship  was  under  the  foresail  only,  and  so  made  three  and  four 
miles  an  hour.  During  the  afternoon  the  wind  was  less  strong 
and  the  main-tack  was  hauled  aboard. 

On  the  20th  the  wind  had  become  lighter  and,  the  topsails  being 
set,  the  ship  made  five  miles  and  a  half  an  hour.  All  day  the 
wind  blew  from  the  northwest. 

At  dawn  on  the  21st  the  sky  was  very  bright  and  clear.  The 
wind  shifted  to  the  north  and  blew  fresh  all  day.     The  course  was 


During  the 
cept  tackiug 

and  we  saw 
erra  of  Santa 
esh  from  the 
ay  there  was 
as  overcast, 
:  six  leagues 
:ing  officers, 
ast,  and  the 

Santa  Lucfa, 
ly,  as  yester- 
t  wind  fresh- 
tops  fell;  but 
ng  the  after- 

ess  and  clear, 
reeze  sprang 
janta  Lucia, 
wind  shifted 
to  the  west- 
is  very  thick 
e  this  morti- 
iving  had  no 
it  twelve  the 

we  were  in 
id  freshened, 
g,  but  it  was 
npossible  to 
eight  o'clock 
ree  and  four 

less  strong 

jpsails  being 
A.11   day  the 

clear.     The 
i  course  was 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


Uf 


west  by  north,  the  ship  going  three  miles    an  hour.     To-day  the 
navigating  officers  took  an  observation  in  34*  08'. 

The  2 2d  dawned  with  the  sky  overcast  and  at  seven  o'clock 
there  came  from  the  north  a  very  wet  fog,  the  wind  dying  away. 
At  noon  the  navigating  officers  got  an  observation  in  34*^  07'.  The 
wind  was  light  and  variable. 

On  the  morning  of  the  23d  the  wind  shifted  to  the  northeast, 
and  presently  to  the  northwest.  The  navigating  officers  took  an 
observation  in  33*^  46'.  All  day  the  northwest  wind  blew  and  the 
ship  sailed  three  miles  an  hour,  the  course  being  west-southwest. 

At  dawn  on  the  24th  the  sky  was  cloudy,  and  the  wind  rather 
fresh  from  north-northeast.  The  course  was  north-northwest. 
We  two  fathers  said  mass,  and  all  celebrated  joyously  the 
birthday  of  Captain  Don  Juan  Perez.  To-day  the  navigating 
officers  took  an  observation  in  33"  43'.  During  the  afternoon  the 
ship  sailed  three  and  a  half  miles  an  hour,  the  course  being  north- 
west a  quarter  west. 

On  the  25th  the  sky  was  clear,  and  the  ship  sailed  on  the  same 
course  at  the  rate  of  four  miles  an  hour  with  the  wind  as  it  was. 
To-day  the  navigating  officers  took  an  observation  in  34*  26'.  At 
nine  o'clock  at  night  the  wind  hauled  to  the  eastward. 

At  dawn  on  the  26th  the  same  wind  was  blowing  fresh.  We  two 
fathers  said  mass.  The  navigating  officers  observed  the  sun  in 
latitude  35°  37'.     At  five  in  the  afternoon  the  wind  died  away. 

At  six  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  27th  the  wind  began  to 
come  from  the  northwest,  light  and  variable.  To-day  the  naviga- 
ting officers  took  an  observation  in  latitude  35*  59',  and  the  weather 
was  the  same. 

On  the  28th  the  same  wind  was  blowing,  and  we  made  two  miles 
an  hour.  To-day  we  were  in  36^  26'  latitude,  almost  that  of 
Monterey.  The  wind  freshened  during  the  afternoon  and  con- 
tinued to  blow  during  the  night. 

At  dawn  on  the  29th  the  same  wind  was  blowing.  Both  fathers 
said  mass.  At  noon  the  navigating  officers  observed  the  sun  in 
37"  20'.  During  the  afternoon  the  wind  shifted  to  the  eastward, 
and  the  ship  sailed  at  the  rate  of  four  miles  an  hour. 

On  the  30th  the  wind  continued  to  blow  from  the  east,  although 
it  was  light,  and  at  seven  o'clock  it  shifted  to  the  east-southeast, 
still  being  very  light.  The  navigating  officers  took  an  observation 
in  latitude  38°  35'.     In  the  afternoon  the  wind  was  fresher. 


;  1 


i 


ii6 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


11 


P, 


Ik 


m 


July,  1774. 

At  dawn  on  the  ist  it  was  almost  calm,  and  at  ten  o'clock  the 
wind  had  ceased.  The  navigating  officers  took  an  obsen'atioii  in 
39°  45'-  At  half  past  twelve  a  very  light  wind  set  in  from  the 
south,  and  a  dense  fog  arose.  At  five  o'clock  the  wind  died 
away. 

About  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  2d  there  was  a  shower, 
with  light  variable  winds  from  the  southwest,  which  soon  died 
away.  The  calm  lasted  all  day,  and  the  sun  shone  with  great 
warmth.  During  the  night  there  was  a  light  wind  irom  the  east- 
southeast. 

There  was  a  thick  fog  at  dawn  on  the  3d  and  the  wind  was 
fresh.  We  two  fathers  said  mass.  At  eight  o'clock  the  wind  died 
away,  and  the  fog  became  rain.  At  ten  o'clock  nie  wind  came 
fro-n  the  east  again.  The  navigating  officers  took  an  observation 
in  latitude  40^  34'.  About  two  the  wind  shifted  to  the  southeast, 
and  was  quite  fresh  during  the  afternoon  and  the  following  night. 
At  sunset  this  afternoon  some  birds  were  seen  ,  it  was  said  that 
they  were  sea-fowl,  and  that  they  were  seen  often  although  there 
were  no  land  within  a  distance  of  many  hundreds  of  leagues. 

At  daylight  on  the  4th  the  sky  was  overcast  and  there  was  a 
heavy  dew.  The  wind  was  fresh  from  the  southeast  and  blew  all 
day.  As  it  was  so  cloudj'  the  navigating  officers  could  not  get  an 
observation.  About  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  it  began  to  rain, 
and  rain  fell  during  almost  all  the  afternoon.  During  the  night 
the  sky  became  clearer  and  there  was  a  heavy  dew. 

At  dawn  on  the  5th  the  same  wind  was  blowing,  although  it 
was  not  so  strong,  and  the  sky  was  clouded  over.  The  navigating 
officers  observ^ed  the  sun  in  latitude  43*''  35',  but  said  that  this  posi- 
tion was  uncertain  as  the  horizon  was  not  clear.  As  the  sun  went 
down  we  saw  a  bird  as  large  as  a  hawk  ;  it  was  said  that  it  was  a 
land-bird,  though  from  the  masthead  land  could  not  be  seen.  We 
concluded  that  towards  the  west,  in  which  direction  the  bird  was 
going,  there  must  be  an  island.  At  night  the  sailors  heard  what 
they  thought  was  the  blowing  of  a  whale,  but  Don  Esteban, 
who  was  on  duty,  told  me  he  thought  it  was  made  by  a  sea-wolf. 

At  daybreak  on  the  6th  there  was  a  heavy  dew  and  a  very  thick 
fog,  the  wind  being  rather  more  fresh  than  it  was  yesterday.  At 
eight  o'clock  it  began  to  die  away.  On  account  of  the  thick  fog 
the  navigating  officers  could  not  get  an  observation.  About  one 
o'clock  the  wind  hauled  to  the  southwest.  At  four  o'clock  we 
saw  a  duck  sitting  on  the  water,   distant  about  sixty  yards  from 


LILY,   1774. 

o'clock  the 
)sen'ation  in 
in  from  the 

wind   died 

as  a  shower, 
h  soon  died 
:  with  great 
om  the  east- 

e  wind  was 
le  wind  died 
wind  came 
observation 
e  southeast, 
)wing  night, 
as  said  that 
hough  there 
lagues. 
:here  was  a 
and  blew  all 
i  not  get  an 
gan  to  rain, 
J  the  night 

although  it 
;  navigating 
at  this  posi- 
le  sun  went 
lat  it  was  a 
s  seen.  We 
le  bird  was 
heard  what 
n  Estebun, 
I  .sea-wolf. 
,  ver>'  thick 
terday.  At 
;  thick  fog 
About  one 
o'clock  we 
yards  from 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


f«f 


the  vessel,  and  this  was  said  to  be  a  sign  that  laud  was  not  very 
far  away.  About  five  o'clock  the  wind  died  away  and  presently 
the  sky  and  horizon  were  clear.  The  look-out  at  the  masthead 
said  that  he  saw  no  laud  anywhere.  At  sun-down  I  saw  another 
duck. 

At  dawn  on  the  7th  it  was  calm  and  there  was  a  dense  fog,  and 
dew  so  heavy  that  it  was  like  a  shower.  This  morning  we  saw 
several  sea-wolves  about  the  vessel.  On  account  of  the  fog  the 
navigating  officers  could  not  get  an  observation.  About  seven 
o'clock  at  night  it  began  to  blow  from  the  north  and  all  night  the 
wind  was  variable. 

As  on  previous  mornings,  at  dawn  on  the  8th  there  was  a  fog, 
and  there  were  light  and  variable  breezes  from  the  north,  which  at 
intervals  died  away.  At  most  the  ship  made  a  mile  an  hour.  At 
nine  o'clock  there  was  a  dead  calm.  The  navigating  officers  could 
not  get  a  sure  observation  because  the  sun  was  not  very  clearly 
visible  and  the  horizon  was  obscured  by  the  fog,  which  for  five 
days  has  not  been  absent  a  single  hour.  During  the  afternoon 
there  were  light  breezes  from  the  southeast.  This  afternoon,  also, 
we  saw  several  birds. 

At  dawn  on  the  9th  there  was  so  much  fog  and  dew  that  it 
seemed  as  if  it  had  rained  all  night  long.  The  sails  appeared  as 
if  they  had  been  wetted,  and  the  water  from  them  had  filled  some 
buckets  which  the  sailors  had  placed  under  them  for  the  purpose 
of  catching  it.  The  calm  lasted  during  the  day,  except  that  at 
times  there  were  light  breezes  from  the  southeast.  At  noon  the 
sky  cleared  a  little,  so  that  the  navigating  officers  were  able  to  take 
an  observation.  They  said  we  v/ere  in  45".  Of  this  result  all  were 
glad,  for  the  navigating  officers  had  been  uneasy.  After  the  obser- 
vation had  been  obtained  the  fog  became  very  thick  again  and  the 
horizon  was  obscured-  During  the  afternoon  the  force  of  the 
breezes  was  less  and  a  great  deal  of  rain  fell.* 

On  the  roth  the  calm  and  fog  continued.  Both  fathers  celebrated 
mass.      About  ten  o'clock  it  began  to  blow  very  gently  from  the 


Mr.  H.  H,  Bancroft  who  alludex  to  the  voyage  of  PereR 
History  of  the  I'ncitlc  ■'^tateK,  XlU.,i-2i^)  RtLVS  that  tht;  ship  was  "driven  baclc  and  forward 


The  writer  employod  by 
■y  of  the  IMcitIc  St 
iloiiR  tne  coast,"  until  "the  !)th  July,  when  they  were  again  able  to  make  observatioua." 


Tills  diary  and  that  of  Father  Crespl  show  that  on  the  18th  June,  the  day  after  that  on 
which  a  final  departure  from  the  coast  was  made,  the  latitude  wns  determined  by  an  obser- 
vation of  the  sun  ;  and  thiit,  from  that  date  until  the  9th  July,  observations  were  made  on 
uo  less  than  fourteen  days.  Captain  I'erez  knew  ttiat  he  had  plenty  of  sea-room  and  that 
the  general  trend  of  the  coast  u>  the  northward  of  Monterey,  so  far  as  it  was  then  known, 
was  to  the  northwestward.  He  stood  out  to  sea,  though  he  was  driven  farther  south  than 
was  desirable,  in  order  to  got  an  otflng,  and  then  sailed  to  the  northwestward  until  the  14th 
July,  when  he  put  the  ship's  head  to  the  northward— in  order  to  make  the  land  In  about 
the  latitude  sought.  It  is  very  evident  that  Captain  Pcre*  was  an  officer  who  understood  hU 
instructions,  which  were  that  he  should  go  to  60°  north  latitude,  and  thence  return  south- 
ward, making  an  examination  of  the  coast  as  he  came.  The  Baucroftian  writer  aeenui  t* 
intimate  that  Peres  did  not  know  what  he  was  about. 


■tiir 


1: 

■'J':l:' 


ii8 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


south.  At  noon  it  cleared  a  little,  and  the  navigating  officers  took 
an  observation  in  45*'  35'.  During  the  afternoon  a  great  deal  of 
water  fell  from  the  fog  and  every  little  while  the  wind  ceased  to 
blow.  To-day  a  sea-wolf  was  seen  which  swam  around  the  vessel 
several  times.  At  half  past  eight  at  night  it  began  to  blow 
rather  fresh  from  the  southeast  and  during  the  night  the  ship  made 
two  miles  and  a  half  an  hour. 

The  wind  and  dense  fog  were  present,  a.s  previously,  at  dawn  on 
the  nth.  About  eight  o'clock  the  wind  shifted  to  the  south  and 
the  ship  made  three  miles  an  hour.  This  morning  we  saw  two 
sea-gulls  and  several  other  birds.  At  noon  the  sun  was  seen  more 
clearly  and  the  navigating  officers  took  an  observation  in  46"  32'. 
In  the  afternoon  the  wind  hauled  to  the  sonthwest,  and  a  great 
deal  of  water  came  from  the  fog  so  that  it  seemed  a  storm  of  rain. 
This  continued  all  day  and  the  night  following.  The  right  was 
cold  and  it  was  said  that  the  water  which  fell  during  the  afternoon 
was  frozen. 

The  1 2th  dawned  foggy  and  with  dew,  like  the  preceding  days, 
but  the  cold  was  greater.  The  wind  went  to  west-southwest 
about  five  in  the  morning,  and  the  drizzling  fog  lasted  until  ten 
o'clock.  At  this  hour  the  wind  hauled  to  west  and  blew  some- 
what stronger.  This  morning  we  saw  some  ducks.  The  naviga- 
ting officers  could  not  get  an  observation  because  the  sky  was  verj- 
much  overcast  and  the  horizon  obscure.  In  the  afternoon  the 
wind  hauled  to  west-northwest  and  was  very  strong  ;  there  was  a 
heavy  sea  and  it  was  very  cold.  As  this  was  a  head  wind,  for 
since  we  began  to  sail  northward,  as  we  have  done  whenever  the 
wind  allowed,  the  course  has  been  northwest  by  west,  and  as  fogs 
were  continual,  the  ship's  head  was  put  to  the  north,  in  order  to 
make  land  at  a  point  farther  to  the  northward.  About  three  in 
the  afternoon  the  weather  cleared  a  little,  and  the  sky  remained 
rather  clear  all  night,  though  the  horizon  was  very  much  obscured. 

At  dawn  on  the  13th  the  wind  continued  at  west-northwest, 
altho"-Ii  1l  w.»c  not  so  strong,  and  the  sky  was  as  clear  as  during 
the  night,  but  at  seven  o'clock  it  was  overcast  again.  At  noon  it 
cleared,  and  the  navigating  officers  got  an  observation  in  48"  55', 
and  said  that  this  was  more  satisfactory  than  preceding  observa- 
tions because  the  horizon  was  more  distinct.  During  the  afternoon 
the  sky  became  overcast  again.  About  seven  o'clock  the  wind 
hauled  to  the  southwest,  very  fresh,  and  the  course  was  changed 
to  northwest.     At  that  hour  so  thick  a  fog  came  on  that  barely  the 


Documents  from  tfu  Sutro  Collection. 


119 


officers  took 
:reat  deal  of 
d  ceased  to 
id  the  vessel 
fan  to  blow 
le  ship  made 

,  at  dawn  on 
e  south  and 
ve  saw  two 
IS  seen  more 
1  in  46"  32' 
and  a  great 
orra  of  rain, 
e  night  was 
he  afternoon 

:eding  days, 

st-southwest 

ed  until  ten 

i  blew  some- 

The  naviga- 

iky  was  verj' 

fternoon  the 

there  was  a 

id  wind,  for 

lenever  the 

and  as  fogs 

in  order  to 

lUt  three  in 

y  remained 

:h  obscured. 

t-northwest, 

as  during 

At  noon  it 

in  48"  55', 
ig  observa- 
he  afternoon 
k  the  wind 
ras  changed 
■t  barely  the 


length  of  the  ship  could  be  seen  and  it  was  so  wet  that  it  seemed 
to  be  raining.     Thus  it  continued  all  night  long. 

At  dawn  on  the  14th  the  same  fog  and  dew  were  present,  and  the 
wind  blew  fresh  from  the  west.  About  nine  in  the  morning  the 
Captain  ordered  the  ship's  head  to  be  put  to  the  northward,  in 
order  to  get  in  with  the  land  and  determine  whether  in  nearing  the 
coast  the  sky  would  become  clearer.  At  noon  the  navigating 
ofi&cers  got  an  observation  in  50®  24',  although  not  sure  of  it  on 
account  of  a  very  cloudy  sky.  During  the  afternoon  the  wind  v/as 
fresh  and  shifted  about  between  west  and  south.  To-day  an  in.>5pec- 
tion  of  the  water-supply  was  made,  and  it  was  found  that  there 
was  sufficient  for  two  months  and  a  half.  At  night  the  same 
shifting  wind  continued,  and  there  was  a  good  deal  of  fog  and 
dew. 

The  15th  dawned  very  cloudy  :  there  was  a  heavy  dew  and  the 
wind  was  very  fresh  from  the  south.  At  nine  o'clock  in  the 
morning  the  Captain  called  a  council  of  all  the  officers  of  the  ship; 
and,  having  made  known  to  them  the  condition  of  the  water- 
supply,  he  asked  their  opinion  as  to  whether  it  were  better  to  go 
on  to  latitude  sixty,  as  was  exacted  by  His  Excellency,  or  to  make 
land  for  the  purpose  of  endeavoring  to  renew  the  water-supply, 
afterwards  going  to  60*^.  All  were  of  opinion  that  it  were  better 
to  make  the  land,  for  the  purpose  of  getting  a  supply  of  water  and 
at  the  same  time  to  gain  the  knowledge  of  some  place  where  a 
refuge  might  be  had  in  case  some  accident  should  make  it  neces- 
sary to  seek  one.  In  conformity  with  this  opinion  of  the  officers, 
the  Captain  ordered  the  ship's  head  to  be  put  northea.st.  At  that 
hour  the  wind  hauled  to  southwest,  and  was  very  fresh.  During 
the  past  two  days  the  ship  has  sailed  at  the  rate  of  four  and  a  half 
miles  an  hour,  with  a  heavy  sea  and  great  cold.  At  noon  the 
navigating  officers  got  an  observation  in  si**  42'.  During  the  lat- 
ter part  of  the  day  the  wind  held,  though  it  was  not  so  fresh,  and 
the  weather  cleared  a  little. 

At  day-light  on  the  i6th  the  sky  was  overcast,  but  there  was 
neither  fog  nor  dew.  The  wind  was  still  in  the  southwest.  At 
nine  o'clock  the  day  was  clear  and  the  weather  moderate.  To-day 
a  great  wooden  cross  was  made,  with  the  intention  of  planting  it 
in  the  earth  in  token  of  taking  possession  when  the  first  landing 
shalrtake  place.  At  noon  the  navigating  officers  got  an  obser- 
vation in  52®  41'.  During  the  afternoon  the  force  of  the  wind  les- 
sened and  it  shifted  about  between  south  and  southwest.  This 
afternoon  some  whales  were  seen,  and  some  sea-weed,  called /<?r>vw 


lao 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


by  the  sailors,  which    abounds  along  the    coast  at    and    near 
Monterey. 

The  17th  began  with  a  cloudy  sky,  but  there  was  neither  fog 
nor  dew;  there  was  scarcely  any  wind,  the  ship  not  making  a  mile 
and  a  half  an  hour.  We  two  fathers  celebrated  the  mass.  About 
seven  o'clook  the  fog  came  on  and  there  was  a  light  shower ;  it 
did  not  last  long  and  the  weather  began  to  lighten.  It  was  not 
•cold  to-day.  At  noon  the  sky  was  clear  and  the  sun  made  it  quite 
warm.  The  navigating  officers  took  an  observation  in  53*^  13'. 
The  same  fair  weather  continued  during  the  afternoon,  with  light 
winds  from  the  southwest ;  we  saw  some  whales.  The  night  was 
fine  and  clear  and  there  was  no  dew. 

At  five  on  the  morning  of  the  i8th  there  was  a  squall  from  the 
southeast  accompanied  by  rain  and  followed  by  light  winds  and  a 
very  wet  fog.  This  morning  navigating  ofiicer  Don  Est^ban  was 
bled  for  the  purpose  of  alleviating  an  inflammation  in  the  face. 
About  ten  o'clock  a  little  wind  came  from  the  northwest,  but  it 
was  very  light  and  variable.  At  eleven  land  was  descried  on  the 
bow,  in  the  northwest.  Blessed  be  God  and  let  him  be  praised  by 
^11  creatures.  No  observation  was  taken  to-day  as  the  sun  did  not 
shine  out.  At  two  o'clock  it  was  noticed  that  the  land  seen  in 
the  northeast  was  snowy,  not  only  on  the  summits  of  the  sierra 
but  on  the  slopes.  Farther  towards  the  north  more  land  was  seen 
but  it  was  not  snowy.  When  we  made  out  the  land,  which  might 
be  a  little  more  or  less  than  twenty  leagues  distant,  the  Captain 
ordered  the  ship's  head  to  be  put  to  the  north-northeast.  The 
wind  remained  light  and  we  made  a  mile  and  a  half  an  hour.  This 
afternoon  Don  Estdban  was  bled  again.  ^^X  five  o'clock  the  wind 
went  around  to  west- northwest  and  we  made  two  miles  an  hour, 
but  this  speed  soon  diminished.  At  sunset  the  bearings  of  the 
land  were  taken.  The  snowy  range  bore  east- northeast ;  the 
point  of  land  was  farther  toward  the  north,  and  there  seemed  to  be 
a  cape  in  the  north-northeast.  During  the  night  there  were  light 
winds  from  the  west-northwest,  but  most  of  the  time  there  was  a 
calm.     The  sky  was  overcast,  but  no  dew  fell. 

The  1 9th  dawned  calm  ;  the  sky  was  overcast  but  the  horizon 
was  clear.  About  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  horizon  was 
obscured  by  fog.  As  bleeding  had  brought  no  relief  to  Don 
Estdban,  he  had  a  tooth  pulled.  At  eleven  a  very  light  breeze 
from  the  southeast  sprang  up,  and  the  ship  was  headed  north  by 
east  for  the  purpose  of  doubling  the  cape  which  bore  northeast 
and  determining  the  trend  of  the  coast  beyond  it,  for  to  the  north 


I    and    near 

neither  fog 
aking  a  mile 
lass.  About 
t  shower ;  it 

It  was  not 
nade  it  quite 
in  in  53»  13', 
1,  with  light 
le  night  was 

all  from  the 

winds  and  a 

Est^ban  was 

I  in  the  face. 

I  west,  but  it 

cried  on  the 

je  praised  by 

i  sun  did  not 

and  seen  in 

>f  the  sierra 

.nd  was  seen 

vhich  might 

the  Captain 

:heast.    The 

hour.    This 

ck  the  wind 

les  an  hour, 

rings  of  the 

•rtheast;  the 

leemed  to  be 

:  were  light 

there  was  a 

the  horizon 
horizon  was 
lief  to  Don 
ight  breeze 
id  north  by 
re  northeast 
0  the  north- 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


tat 


ward  of  that  cape  no  land  was  seen.  At  mid-day  the  Captain  took 
an  observation  in  53^  41'.  The  wind  freshened  considerably  ;  and, 
when  we  were  three  leagues  from  the  point  of  land  farthest  to  the 
northward,  it  was  noted  that  beyond  that  point  a  low  coast  stretches 
to  the  north-northwest.  About  five  in  the  nfternoon  the  course 
was  altered  to  northeast,  so  that  we  might  draw  near  to  the  land 
lying  in  that  direction  and  see  whether  there  were  any  place 
where  the  ship  could  anchor.  About  six,  the  wind  being  very 
fresh,  it  began  to  rain,  on  which  account  and  because  the  weather 
was  obscure  by  reason  of  the  fog  and  night  was  coming  on,  the 
Captain  determined  to  go  a  little  farther  off  the  land  and  lie  to. 
This  was  done  at  seven  o'clock ;  and  thus  the  night  passed,  the 
fog  continuing  with  a  good  deal  of  water. 

After  dawn,  on  the  20th,  the  wind  came  from  east-southeast,  and 
the  ship's  head  was  put  on  a  north  by  east  course,  the  fog  continu- 
ing very  dense  and  wet.  About  nine  o'clock  the  course  was 
altered  to  east-northeast,  that  we  might  examine  the  low  land  that 
showed  at  the  end  of  the  point.  At  ten  o'clock  it  was  noted  from 
the  masthead  that  it  consisted  of  three  small  islands  which  were 
near  to  the  main-land.  These  the  Captain  named  the  Islands  of 
Santa  Margarita,  this  being  the  day  of  that  glorious  lady.  It 
was  impossible  to  get  an  observation  to-day  on  account  of  the 
heavy  fog  and  drizzle.  About  three  in  the  afternoon  we  were  near 
the  land  which  had  appeared  to  consist  of  islands,  although  this 
could  not  be  verified  because  the  fog  so  limited  the  view  when  we 
were  about  three  leagues  away,  and  we  went  about  and  stood  off 
shore  with  the  intention  of  continuing  tacking  along  the  land,  so 
that  when  the  weather  cleared  we  might  find  anchorage  ground 
and  take  in  a  supply  of  water.  At  that  hour  we  saw  bonfires  on 
the  land,  and  presently  there  came  to  us  a  canoe  witn  nine  men  in 
it.  This  canoe  drew  near  to  the  vessel,  the  pagans  in  it  singing  ; 
but  they  would  not  come  near  enough  for  us  to  communicate  by 
means  of  signs.  Having  followed  us  for  some  time,  they  returned 
to  the  land.  About  five  o'clock  this  canoe,  and  another  in  which 
there  were  six  pagans,  caught  up  with  us,  both  drawing  up  to  our 
stern.  The  Captain  made  them  a  present  of  some  strings  of  beads 
and  they  gave  us  some  dried  fish.  But  they  would  not  come  on 
board  the  ship.  These  persons  are  well-made,  white,  with  long 
hair;  and  they  were  clothed  in  skins,  some  of  them  embroidered. 
They  had  some  iron  implements  in  their  canoes,  but  we  were  un- 
able to  inquire  where  they  obtained  them,  for  presently  they  went 
back  to  land,  inviting  us  thither,  and  offering  to  give  us  water  on 

10 


!.  i 


iiW: 


132 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


the  following  day.  About  six  o'clock  there  arrived  another  canoe 
with  seven  pagans,  who  drew  near,  singing  the  same  air  the  others 
had  sung.  These  followed  us  for  about  an  hour  without  being 
willing  to  come  aboard  the  ship.  When  at  length  they  went  back 
to  laTid  we  were  about  eight  leagues  from  it,  and  there  was  a  high 
sea  on.  These  canoes  resemble  those  used  in  Santa  Barbara  chan 
nel,  but  are  of  greater  burthen.  This  afternoon  the  wind  was  in 
the  southeast,  and  at  ten  o'clock  it  died  away  entirely. 

Shortly  after  midnight,  it  being  the  21st,  it  came  on  to  blow  ven 
fresh  from  the  southeast,  and  the  ship  stood  off  shore  with  her 
head  to  the  southwest  by  south.  At  eight  in  the  morning  we  went 
about  toward  the  land  on  a  course  east  by  north.  This  morning 
there  was  a  dense  fog.  The  navigating  officers  could  not  take  an 
observation,  for  the  sky  was  overcast.  About  noon  we  made  the 
point  of  land  to  the  northward  of  Santa  Margarita,  a  quarter  of  a 
leagfue  away,  and  we  coasted  along  it  to  the  eastward  for  about 
half  a  league  with  intent  to  discover  whether  there  were  an  anchor- 
age behind  a  point  to  the  eastward  where  there  seemed  to  be  an  in- 
dentation in  the  coast  line.  But  we  could  not  double  this  point,  for 
the  current  carried  us  to  the  southward.  For  this  reason  we  went 
about,  and,  after  we  had  sailed  about  a  league  to  the  southwest- 
ward,  the  wind,  which  all  the  morning  had  blown  with  much 
force  and  had  raised  a  heavy  sea,  died  away.  About  half-past  two 
canoes,  some  larger  than  others,  all  full  of  pagans,  began  to  arrive. 
The  larger  canoes  were  twelve  or  thirteen  yards  in  length,  and 
appeared  to  be  of  a  single  piece,  ^'xcepting  that  there  was  plank- 
ing along  the  sides  and  at  the  bow.  In  these  canoes  were  some 
two  hundred  persons;  in  om  Ih  ire  were  counted  twenty-one,  in 
another  nineteen,  while  in  the  others  were  five,  seven,  twelve  and 
fifteen.  One  canoe  contained  twelve  or  thirteen  women  and  no 
men.  In  others,  also,  there  were  women  but  the  majority  con- 
sisted of  men.  At  the  time  the  women's  canoe  arrived  at  the  ship 
it  happened  that  its  prow  struck  that  of  another  canoe  whose 
occupants  were  men  and  broke  it ;  at  this  the  men  became  verj- 
angary,  and  one  of  them,  seizing  the  prow  of  the  women's  canoe, 
broke  it  to  pieces  in  order  to  repay  their  carelessness.  All  the 
afternoon  these  canoes,  twenty-one  in  all,  were  about  the  ship, 
their  occupants  trading  with  the  ship's  people,  for  which  purpose 
they  had  brought  a  great  quantity  of  mats,  skins  of  various  kinds 
of  animals  and  fish,  hats  made  of  rushes  and  caps  made  of  skins, 
bunches  of  feathers  arranged  in  various  shapes,  and,  above  all, 
many  coverlets,  or  pieces  of  woven  woolen  stuffs  very  elaborately 


einbroidcit 
of  the  fcata 
in  distinct 
in  return  1 
what  they 
larj;e  piece 
the  like — I 
were  of  trif 
signified  tl: 
the  ship,  a 
board  of  it 
therefrom 
cance  of  tl: 
dress  coasi; 
reaching  to 
and  coverii 
braids  to  th 
woman,  bu 
which  han^ 
or  with  the 
of  the  womi 
when  occas 
taking  leav 
their  desire 
into  the  car 
and  shouts 
should  not 
bad  and  she 
say  that  all 
afternoon  ai 
the  land. 

About  tw 
set  in  from 
lour  league 
island  whi< 
about  eight 
yesterday  b< 
island,  bore 
course,  for  t 
eastward  of 

6.  Of  course 
nativec  seen  di 
The  men  were  c< 


>ther  canoe 
r  the  others 
hout  being 
went  back 
was  a  high 
rbara  chan- 
iiul  was  in 

3  blow  ven 
re  with  her 
ng  we  went 
lis  morning 
not  take  an 
;  made  the 
uarter  of  a 
d  for  about 
an  anchor- 
to  be  an  in- 
is  point,  for 
on  we  went 
southwest- 
kvith  much 
ilf-past  two 
n  to  arrive, 
ength,  and 
was  plank- 
were  some 
nty-one,  in 
twelve  and 
len  and  no 
jority  con- 
at  the  ship 
noe  whose 
icame  very 
;n's  canoe, 
i.     All  the 
;  the  ship, 
;h  purpose 
ious  kinds 
e  of  skins, 
above  all, 
elaborately 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


\2S 


embroidtifd  and  about  a  yard  and  a  half  squaie,  with  a  fringe 
of  the  same  \ool  about  the  ed>;es  and  various  figures  embroidered 
in  distinct  colors.  Our  people  bought  several  of  all  these  articles, 
in  return  for  clothing,  knives  and  beads.  It  was  apparent  that 
what  they  liked  most  were  thitigs  made  of  iron  ;  but  they  wanted 
lartje  pieces  with  a  cutting  edge,  such  as  swords,  wood-knives  and 
the  like — for,  on  being  shown  ribands  they  intimated  that  these 
were  of  trifling  value,  and,  when  offered  rice  from  the  barrel,  they 
signified  that  this  had  no  edge.  Two  of  the  pagans  came  aboard 
the  ship,  and  were  much  pleased  with  the  ves.sel  and  things  on 
board  of  it.  The  women  have  the  lower  lip  pierced,  and  pendent 
therefrom  a  flat  round  disk  ;  we  v  ere  unable  to  learn  the  signifi- 
cance of  this,  nor  of  what  material  the  disk  was  made.  Their 
dress  consists  of  a  cape  with  a  fringe  about  the  edge  and  a  cloth 
reaching  to  the  feet,  made  of  their  woven  woolen  stuff,  or  of  skins, 
and  covering  the  whole  body.  Their  hair  is  long  and  falls  in 
braids  to  the  shoulder.  They  are  as  fair  and  rosy  as  any  Spanish 
woman,  but  are  rendered  ugly  by  the  disk  they  have  in  the  lip, 
which  hangs  to  the  chin.  The  men  also  are  covered,  with  skins 
or  with  the  woven  cloths  of  wool,  and  many  have  capes  like  those 
of  the  women ;  but  they  do  not  hesitate  about  remaining  naked 
when  occasion  for  selling  their  clothing  offers.  At  six  o'clock, 
taking  leave  of  ur  they  made  for  the  land,  and  they  made  evident 
their  desire  that  we  should  go  thither.  Some  sailors  went  down 
into  the  canoes  and  the  pagans  painted  their  faces,  with  delight 
and  shouts  of  joy.  These  pagans  gave  us  to  understand  that  we 
should  not  pass  on  to  the  northward  because  the  people  there  was 
bad  and  shot  arrows  and  killed.'  How  common  it  is  for  pagans  to 
say  that  all  are  bad  except  themselves  !  The  calm  lasted  all  the 
afternoon  and  the  current  took  us  about  two  leagues  farther  from 
the  land. 

About  two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  22d  a  very  light  wind 
set  in  from  the  southeast,  and  at  five  we  were  at  a  distance  of  about 
four  leagues  from  the  land,  which  bore  east-southeast,  and  an 
island  which  yesterday  bore  northwest  a  quarter  west,  distant 
about  eight  or  ten  leagues,  now  bore  north,  and  high  land  which 
yesterday  bore  north  by  west,  and  which  we  thought  might  be  an 
island,  bore  north.  We  stood  for  the  land  on  an  east  by  north 
course,  for  the  purpose  of  trying  to  double  the  point  lying  to  the 
eastward  of  Santa  Margarita,  in  order  to  discover  whether  there 


6.  Of  course  these  Indians  bad  no  woolen  studs.  It  is  not  probable  that  any  of  the 
natives  seen  dnriug  the  voyage  posBcssed  any  implements  or  weapons  of  iron  or  copper. 
The  men  were  ce.  Mainly  not  wbite  ;  nor  the  wonup  as  fair  (Uid  rosy  as  Spanlsb  womea. 


124 


Historical  Society  of  Soutlicrn  Calijornia 


were  anchorage  ground  in  the  indentation  of  the  coast  behind  that 
point,  but  the  current  took  us  so  far  to  leeward  that  we  were 
unable  to  fetch  the  point ;  so  we  stood  off  shore  on  a  south-south- 
west course.  At  noon  the  Captain  said  that  he  had  taken  an  obser- 
vation of  the  sun  in  55'^.  About  one  we  went  about  and  stood 
toward  the  land.  At  half-past  three  the  wind  hauled  to  east-south- 
east and  we  went  seaward  on  a  course  due  south,  but  presently 
the  wind  shifted  back  to  the  southeast  and  the  course  was  altered 
to  south-southwest.  All  this  afternoon  this  wind  blew  fresh  and 
there  was  p.  hcuvy  icr,,  so  thick  that  it  seemed  night  and  so  wet 
that  it  was  like  a  rain-storm,  and  there  was  a  great  deal  of  sea  on. 
As  there  was  a  head  whid,  together  with  a  dense  and  wet  fog  and 
a  heavy  sea,  and  as  the  current  was  carrying  us  to  leeward  upon 
the  high  land  to  the  northward  of  Point  Santa  Margarita,  all 
the  afternoon  and  during  the  night  we  stood  out  to  sea  and 
lost  sight  of  Point  Santa  Margarita.  ^  note  that  all  the  land  of 
Santa  Margarita,  as  well  as  that  to  the  eastward  of  it,  is  so  thickly 
covered  with  forest  that  no  part  of  it  can  be  seen  which  is  not 
clothed  with  a  very  thick  growth  of  tall  timber,  the  trees  appearing 
to  be  cypresses.  In  the  canoes  of  the  pagans  our  people  saw  poles 
of  pine,  cypress,  ash  and  beech,  although  I  noticed  only  some  of 
cypress  and  some  of  pine. 

The  same  wind  held  at  daybreak  on  the  23d  ;  also  yesterday's 
fog  and  the  heavy  sea.  We  continued  to  stand  out  to  sea  on  the 
same  course,  making  only  a  mile  an  hour,  the  wind  being  too 
fresh  on  account  of  the  heavy  head  sea.  Before  noon  the  wind 
hauled  to  east-southeast  and  all  day  we  stood  due  south,  at  the 
rate  of  two  and  a  half  or  three  miles  an  hour.  No  observation  for 
latitude  could  be  taken  as  the  sun  was  not  seen  during  the  whole 
day.  During  the  afternoon  the  drizzling  rain  continued  to  fall  and 
it  was  quite  cold.  Seeing  that  the  weather  was  so  bad  and  the 
wind  so  contrary  for  running  down  the  coast,  we  determired  on  a 
novena  to  San  Juan  Neporiuceno,  to  commence  to-daj  and 
another  to  Santa  Clara,  to  commence  on  the  4th  of  August  (God 
giving  us  life),  in  order  to  obtain  from  the  Most  Holy  Majesty, 
through  the  intercession  of  these  saints,  that  bettering  of  the 
weather  which  we  need.  I  note  that  to-day  the  Captain  told  us 
the  island  which  bore  northwest  by  west  on  the  twenty-first  instant, 
lying  off  Point  Santa  Margarita,  is  called  the  Island  of  Santa 
Cristina,'   and   the   other   high   land   bearing   north   by   west  is 


7.  Mr.  Bancroft's  writer  BayH,  (//(Xory  of  the  Pacific  .'•'(ato,  XXVII.,  164),  that  Kathe 
Crcspi  says  Perez  named  this  islnnfl  Sunt.:  t^aOxUna.  A  rjference  to  the  diary  of  Fathe 
CrcBpi,  which  is  Document  No.  10,  will  sho'v  that,  amouK  blB  notes  of  the  <!l8t  Julv  •! 
also  says  that  the  islaud  wus  uamuU  Sauta  iJriilina. 


ast  behind  that 
d  that  we  were 
a  south-south- 
taken  an  obser- 
bout  and  stood 
d  to  east-south- 
,  but  presently 
rse  was  altered 
>lew  fresh  and 
jht  and  so  wet 
deal  of  sea  on. 
nd  wet  fog  and 
>  leeward  upon 

Margarita,  all 
lUt  to  sea  and 
all  the  land  of 
it,  is  so  thickly 

which  is  not 
trees  appearing 
;ople  saw  poles 
d  only  some  of 

[so  yesterday's 
to  sea  on  the 
ind  being  too 
loon  the  wind 
?  south,  at  the 
observation  for 
ring  the  whole 
ued  to  fall  and 
0  bad  and  the 
etermired  on  a 
e  to-da>  and 
[  August  (God 
rioly  Majesty, 
ttering  of  the 
aptain  told  us 
ty-first  instant, 
land  of  Santa 
Lh    by   west  is 

.,  154),  that  Kathe 
he  (ll&ry  of  Fathe 
of  the  -ilstJulv  ti 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


125 


called  Cape  Santa  Maria  Magdalena.  This  cape  is  to  the  north- 
westward Oi  Point  Santa  Margarita  ;  and,  between  it  and  said 
point,  to  the  eastward  is  what  appeared  to  be  a  large  bight. 
The  current  drifting  us  away,  as  I  have  noted,  we  were  unable  to 
know  whether  this  were  gulf,  strait,  or  bay  into  which  some  great 
river  discharges,  as  the  Captain  fancies.  Tliis  Cape  Santa  Marff. 
Magdalena  is  distant  ten  leagues  from  Poinc  Santa  Margarita, 
and  this  also  is  the  width  of  the  mouth  of,  or  entrance  to,  said 
bight  or  gulf.  Cape  Santa  Maria  Magdj-leni  stretches  out  from 
east  to  west,  and  close  to  its  western  extremity  is  the  Island  of 
Santa  Cristina,  which  seemed  to  us  to  be  sniuil  aiul  to  lie  about  two 
leagues  from  the  mainland.  To-night,  at  eleven  o'clock,  the  wind 
began  to  blow  from  the  southwest. 

The  dawn  of  the  24th  was  rather  clear  and  the  wind  was  fresh 
from  the  southwest.  From  eleven  o'clock  last  night  until  five  this 
morning  our  course  had  lien  to  the  southeast.  At  five  it  was 
altered  to  east-southeast,  that  we  might  draw  in  with  the  land. 
To-day  I  celebrated  the  mass  ;  Father  Fray  Juan  did  not  assist 
because  just  before  it  began  a  squall  came  upon  us,  some  drops  of 
rain  fell  and  the  wind  freshened.  To-day  the  navigating  officers 
obtained  an  observation  in  53^  48'.  During  the  afternoon  the 
wind  died  away;  to  a  dead  calm  during  the  night.  At  sundown 
land  was  seen,  and  it  seemed  to  us  to  be  that  we  saw  first  as  we 
approached  the  coast  on  the  eighteenth  instant.  At  eleven  at 
night  there  was  an  appearance  in  the  sky.  in  the  north  and  the 
northeast,  of  some  very  brilliant  northern  lights. 

The  25th  dawned  calm,  the  sk\  oeing  very  clear  and  cloudless. 
At  six  o'clock  a  light  breeze  sprang  up  from  the  east.  Both 
fathers  celebrated  mast.,  and  I  administered  the  mo.st  holy  sacra- 
ment to  a  sick  sailor.  As  the  wind  blew  off  shore,  the  land  being 
in  sight  to  the  eastward,  about  twelve  leagues  away,  we  could  not 
sail  toward  it,  and  our  course  was  south  by  east.  At  noon  the 
navigating  officers  obtained  an  observation  in  53°  21'.  About  one 
in  the  afternoon  the  wind  shifted  to  northeast  and  was  very  light  ; 
we  sailed  at  the  rate  of  a  mile  an  hour  on  a  couise  southeast  a 
quarter  east.  This  afternoon  the  coast  and  the  snowy  range  were 
very  clearly  visible.  At  the  foot  of  this  range  appears  a  high 
land  with  a  knife-like  summit  and  stretching  from  east  to  west. 
At  its  western  extremity  there  is  an  insulated  round  ro.;k  with  a 
flat  top,  re:;embling  an  oven,  which  seems  to  be  an  island,  although 
we  could  not  discover  whether  it  1.  or  not.  Nor  coti.'d  we  mal  e 
out  whether  the  high  land  referred  to  joins  the  slope  of  the  snowy 


I^ 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


range  or  whether  it  is  an  island  separated  from  it.  To  the  north- 
westward of  this  high  land  and  the  insulated,  oven-like  rock  there 
appears  to  be  a  bight.  AL?«it  seven  o'clock  this  evening  a  ship's 
boy  nam'^d  Salvador  Antonio,  a  native  of  Gaynamota  and  married 
there,  died.  About  six  o'clock  the  fog  began  to  thicken  and  it 
began  to  drizzle.  At  nine  the  wind  hauled  to  northeast  a  quarter 
east,  and  it  began  to  rain  very  heavily,  especially  so  until  eleven, 
and  all  night  it  continued  raining  with  the  same  wind. 

At  dawn  on  the  26th  it  was  drizzling,  and  there  was  a  heavy 
fog.  At  four  in  the  morning  it  began  to  blow  from  the  south- 
southeast  and  the  course  was  vvest-southwest  until  half  past  i'\: 
when  we  went  about  for  the  land  with  the  ship's  head  due  east, 
celebrated  the  mass  and  the  funeral  service  over  the  ship's  boy 
who  died  yesterday.  Father  Fray  Juan  did  not  celebrate  the  mass 
on  account  of  the  bad  weather,  for  there  were  showers  of  rain 
accompanied  by  a  high  wind  and  a  sea  so  heavy  that  we  could  not 
keep  our  feet.  At  ten  we  went  about  and  stood  off  shore  with  the 
ship's  head  to  west-southwest,  the  weather  being  too  bad  for  us  to 
draw  near  to  the  land,  for  the  wind  was  very  high,  a  heavy  sea 
was  running  and  the  day  very  dark,  as  it  rained  heavily  all  the 
time.  It  was  impossible  to  get  an  observation.  During  the  after- 
noon the  wind  went  on  increasing  and  shifted  about  from  southeast 
to  south-southwest;  and  it  rained  continuously.  During  the  night 
the  wind  hauled  to  the  southwest,  and  the  course  was  south-south- 
east. 

At  dawn  on  the  27th  the  sky  was  overcast,  it  was  raining  as  it 
had  rained  the  day  before  and  a  high  sea  was  running.  The  wind 
was  from  the  southwest,  but  not  so  fresh.  At  eight  in  the  morning 
it  stopped  raining,  and  after  ten  o'clock  the  weather  began  to  clear 
and  the  wind  to  go  down.  At  noon  the  navigating  officers  got  an 
observation  in  52**  59'.  In  the  afternoon  the  sun  shone  clear,  and 
the  wind  was  light  until  night- fall,  when  it  was  calm. 

The  28th  dawned  calm,  with  fair  weather.  The  land  was  plainly 
visible  at  a  distance  of  about  eight  leagues  ;  't  is  high  land,  with 
many  hills  all  running  downward  towards  the  sea.  About  seven 
o'clock  the  wind  began  to  blow  from  the  south  and  the  sky  to 
become  overcast  ;  but  the  wind  soon  died  away  and  the  sky  cleared 
— so  that  at  mid-day  the  navigating  officers  could  get  an  observa- 
tion. According  to  what  they  said,  we  were  in  52°  41'=  They 
took  the  bearings  of  the  land  also.  The  more  noi.'.priy  p;  rt  bore 
north-northwest ;  the  more  southerly,  east-southeast.  T'le  c«.<ist, 
from  the  fifty-fourth  degree  to  this  point,  trends  r.c.inwest  and 


the  north- 
rock  there 
g  a  ship's 
ad  married 
ten  and  it 
a  quarter 
til  eleven, 

s  a  heavy 
the  south- 
i  past  si; 
ue  east, 
ship's  boy 
:e  the  mass 
;rs  of  rain 
e  could  not 
•e  with  the 
id  for  us  to 
heavy  sea 
ily  all  the 
I  the  after- 
n  southeast 
5  the  night 
)uth-south- 

ming  as  it 
The  wind 
le  morning 
an  to  clear 
:ers  got  an 
clear,  and 

vas  plainly 
land,  with 
50Ut  seven 
he  sky  to 
ky  cleared 
observa- 
'  They 
p;  rt  hore 

'*1C.    CO«iSt, 

ivvest  and 


I 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


127 


southeast,  and  the  land  is  all  very  high.  The  Captain  named  this 
land  Sierra  of  San  Cristobal ;  and  it  is  snowy,  not  only  the  hill  in 
53**  but  several  others  more  to  the  southward.  About  three  in  the 
afternoon  the  wind  began  to  blow  very  gently  from  the  south-south- 
west, presently  hauling  to  the  southwest,  and  the  course  was  made 
south-southeast.  But  the  wind  was  so  light  that  we  made  only  a 
mile  an  hour,  and  it  died  away  entirely  at  times  during  the  afcer- 
noon  and  the  following  night.  During  this  time  there  was  no  rain , 
but  it  was  cloudy  and  rather  cold. 

At  daybreak  on  the  29th  the  sky  was  overcast  ;  but  there  was 
'ig,  and  the  coast  was  seen  plainly.  It  was  about  eight  leagues 
uritant,  and  the  land  is  very  high  and  broken.  Along  the  summit 
are  many  peaks  of  different  figures,  as  is  the  case  in  the  rest  of  the 
Sierra  of  San  Crist6bal.  On  the  wh'^le  coast,  from  Santa  Marga- 
rita in  55°  to  this  place,  we  have  not  been  able  to  discover  any 
harbors,  bights,  bays,  rivers,  and  the  like,  as  well  on  account  of 
the  distance  from  it  which  we  have  kept,  as  because  most  of  the 
time  it  has  been  cloudy  and  the  horizon  and  the  shore-line  have 
been  obscured.  This  morning  the  wind  came  from  the  southwest, 
with  the  same  gentleness  and  intervals  of  calm  as  on  yesterday. 
About  eleven  o'clock  the  wind  hauled  to  south-southeast,  and  we 
went  about  and  stood  out  to  sea  on  a  southwest  a  quarter  west 
course.  F.  ■  observation  of  the  sun  was  possible  because  of  the 
very  cloTid>  sky.  During  the  afternoon  it  was  almost  calm,  and 
by  nij:li,»a'!  ''.e  wind  died  away  entirely.  The  calm  lasted  all 
night. 

During  '.'1  morning  of  the  30th  there  were  light  winds  from  the 
east-southeaf,  .aid  these  took  us  farther  away  from  the  land,  our 
course  beinr,  south.  About  eight  o'clock  the  wind  went  to  south- 
southeas*^ ,  it  was  light  and  variable  and  the  ship's  head  was  put 
to  s*"  'atnwest  a  quarter  south.  Presently  the  wind  hauled  to  the 
southward  and  was  fresher.  At  noon  we  went  about  and  stood 
east -southeast.  At  one,  the  wind  having  gone  back  to  southca.^t, 
we  wp^t  about  and  stood  out  to  sea  on  a  southwest  by  south 
coMV'c,  making  three  miles  an  hour.  The  navigating  officers 
could  ..  .ft  an  observation  as  the  sky  was  overcast.  During;  the 
afternoon  the  force  of  the  wind  increased  and  there  was  a  very 
hig^'  sea.  Before  night  it  was  necessary  to  furl  the  fore-topsail,  so 
tliat  the  topmast  might  not  be  carried  away,  or  the  foremast  itself, 
by  the  heavy  pitching  of  the  ship.  As  the  night  came  on  it  began 
to  rain  and  it  rained  all  night.  At  midnight  the  main-topsail  was 
furled,  for  the  wind  increased  in  force,  only  the  fore  and  main 


128 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


courses  remaining  set.  The  ship  rolled  so  much  that  all  passed  a 
bad  night.  During  the  first  quarter  of  the  night  the  wind  was 
east-southeast  ;  after  midnight  it  went  back  to  southeast  and 
south-southeast. 

At  dawn  on  the  31st  it  was  raining  and  the  weather  was  very 
thick,  although  the  wind  was  not  so  strong.  We  could  not  cele- 
brate the  mass  because  the  weather  was  so  bad,  and  there  was  a 
heavy  sea  .  ising  great  pitching  of  the  ship.  About  half  past 
eight  the  tojj  :  re  set.  as  the  weather  was  better  and  the  rain 

had  ceased,  'i ;  ind  held  all  night  and  continued  this  morning, 
and  the  course  was  southwest  a  quarter  west.  About  ten  o'clock 
the  wind  freshened  again  and  the  weather  became  worse ;  there 
was  a  threatening  of  rain,  but  none  fell.  At  noon  it  cleared  a 
little,  so  that  the  navigating  officers  could  get  an  observation  in 
51°  5S'.  During  the  afternoon  the  same  wind  blew  very  fresh, 
and  the  sky  was  very  much  overcast  and  dark.  About  seven  some 
drops  of  rain  fell ;  they  were  heavy  and  cold  but  soon  ceased. 

August,  1774. 

At  one  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  ist,  the  wind  having  gone 
to  southwest,  we  went  about  and  stood  in  for  the  land,  on  a  south- 
southeast  course,  the  ship  going  four  miles  an  hour.  About  seven 
in  the  morning  the  wind,  which  was  still  very  strong,  hauled  to 
south-southwest,  and  the  course  was  altered  to  southeast.  At 
eight  the  sky  cleared  and  the  sun  was  seen.  About  ten  the  wind 
went  to  west-southwest,  but  it  was  not  so  strong,  nor  was  it  so  cold 
as  it  had  been.  At  noon  the  navigating  officers  observed  the  sun 
in  51"  35'.  During  the  afternoon  the  wind  was  in  the  same  quar- 
ter and  rather  fresher,  the  ship  being  on  the  same  course  and 
going  at  the  rate  of  three  miles  an  hour.  About  seven  o'clock 
the  wind  hauled  to  west  and  so  remained  all  night,  during  which 
we  stood  south-southeast  at  the  rate  of  three  miles  an  hour.  The 
night  was  very  clear  and  the  sky  cloudless. 

About  half  past  four  on  the  morning  of  the  2d  the  wind  went  to 
west-northwest  and  the  ship's  head  was  put  to  the  southeastward, 
in  order  to  draw  in  to  the  land.  This  morning  the  wind  was  not 
very  strong,  but  it  was  almost  a  stern  wind,  and  the  send  of  the 
sea  was  favorable,  so  we  made  three  miles  an  hour.  At  noon  the 
navigating  officers  took  an  observation  and  said  that  we  were  in 
50"  20'.  At  that  hour  the  Captain  ordered  the  ship's  head  to  be  put 
east  by  south,  so  as  to  make  a  landfall  without  losing  too  much 
latitude.     The  same  wind  continued  until  six  o'clock  in  the  even- 


all  passed  a 
e  wind  was 
lutheast  and 

ler  was  very 
lid  not  cele- 

there  was  a 
3Ut  half  past 
and  the  rain 
his  morning, 
t  ten  o'clock 
worse ;  there 

it  cleared  a 
jservation  in 
V  very  fresh, 
it  seven  some 

ceased. 

iusT,  1774. 

having  gone 

[,  on  a  south- 

About  seven 

ig,  hauled  to 

itheast.      At 

en  the  wind 

vas  it  so  cold 

rved  the  sun 

e  same  quar 

course  and 
even  o'clock 
uring  which 

hour.     The 

and  went  to 

utheastward, 

'ind  was  not 

send  of  the 

At  noon  the 

we  were  in 

ead  to  be  put 

ig  too  much 

in  the  even 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


129 


ing,  when  it  hauled  to  west.  During  the  night  the  fog  and  dew 
were  heavy.     We  sailed  on  the  same  course  until  midnight. 

On  the  3d,  until  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  course  was 
southeast  a  quarter  east,  for  we  were  afraid  of  the  coast,  as  the  fog 
was  .so  thick  we  could  not  see  if  it  were  near.  At  four  o'clock  we 
again  stood  ea.st  by  south.  The  wind  blew  fresh  from  the  west  until 
eight  o'clock,  when  it  hauled  to  tlie  northwest.  This  was  the 
long  desired  wind  which  we  had  not  h  .d  for  one  single  hour.  The 
fog  lasted  all  the  morning,  for  which  reason  we  could  not  make 
out  the  land.  At  noon  the  navigating  officers  took  an  observation 
of  the  sun  in  49^  24'.  After  mid-day,  by  order  of  the  Captain,  the 
course  was  east,  so  that  we  might  draw  in  to  land  and  examine  the 
coast  in  case  the  fog  should  lift,  for,  according  to  his  reckoning, 
we  should  be  very  near  it.  At  three  in  the  afternoon,  seeing  that 
the  fog  did  not  lighten  and  that  the  wind  freshened,  the  Captain 
ordered  the  topsails  to  be  reefed  and  the  ship's  head  to  be  put 
southeast  a  quarter  south,  until  such  time  as  it  may  please  God  to 
give  us  the  fair  weather  necessary  for  us  to  go  to  the  coast.  At  five 
the  fog  began  to  lift ;  and,  it  being  clear  and  the  coast  not  being 
visible,  the  reefs  in  the  topsails  were  shaken  out,  all  sail  was  set 
and  the  ship's  head  was  put  to  the  eastward,  so  as  to  see  whether 
before  the  night  fell  we  might  make  the  land.  The  wind  fresh- 
ened continually  and  we  made  five  miles  an  hour  ;  the  rest  of 
the  day  we  had  made  four  and  four  and  a  half.  But  we  could  not 
see  the  coast,  for  which  reason,  at  nine  o'clock,  sail  was  reduced 
to  the  foresail  only,  and  thus  we  made  two  miles  and  a  half  an 
hour.     At  twelve  the  fog  shut  in  again,  very  thick. 

It  was  now  the  4th,  and  the  ship  was  hove  to  under  her  main- 
sail. It  was  daybreak  at  four  o'clock,  and,  the  fog  being  very 
thick,  the  foresail  and  the  topsails  were  set,  and  we  went  to  the 
eastward.  The  wind  hauled  to  the  northward,  very  fresh,  and 
soon  there  was  a  heavy  sea  on.  At  eight  o'clock,  as  the  fog  did 
not  lift,  while  both  wind  and  sea  were  increasing,  the  topsails 
were  furled  again,  and,  under  the  foresail,  the  ship  stood  east- 
sGutheast,  for  we  could  not  see  the  coast,  which,  according  to  the 
reckoning  of  the  navigating  officers,  is  thought  to  be  very  near. 
At  eleven  the  weather  began  to  clear  a  little,  but  no  land  was 
seen.  At  noon  the  sun  was  observed  in  48'''  52'.  At  one  o'clock, 
the  weather  being  clear,  the  mainsail  and  the  topsails  were  set, 
and  we  went  towards  the  coast,  our  course  being  east-northeast,  the 
ship  making  four  miles  an  hour.  This  afternoon  the  wind  went 
to   north-norlheast  and  blew  as  strong  as  it  had  blown  from  the 

11 


I30 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


north  in  the  morning,  To-day  is  the  only  one  during  tlie  voyage 
on  which  we  have  seen  the  sun  set  clear.  During  the  night  thf 
wind  held  with  the  same  strength  ;  and,  as  the  sea  was  very  high, 
there  was  much  pitching  and  tossing  and  little  rest.  This  after- 
noon we  commenced  the  novena  to  Santa  Clara,  as  we  had  prom 
ised,  for  the  purpose  of  imploring  divine  aid  through  the  interces 
sion  of  this  glorious  saint,  to  the  end  that  the  Lord  may  concede 
to  us  favorable  winds  and  fair  weather,  so  that  we  may  sail  alon;; 
the  coast  and  comply  with  the  charge  and  orders  of  the  superior 
government,  if  it  be  acceptable  to  the  service  of  God  and  the  Kins; 
Our  Lord. 

The  5tli  dawned  clear,  the  sky  was  cloudless  and  there  was  no 
fog.  Yet  we  could  not  see  the  coast ;  though,  according  to  the 
reckoning,  we  should  have  made  land  two  days  ago.  Undoubtedly 
the  error  consists  in  miscalculating  the  variation  of  the  needle ; 
but,  from  observations  of  the  north  star  we  have  made,  the  needk 
does  not  vary  more  than  two  points.  This  morning  the  wind  went 
back  to  the  northward,  though  now  not  .so  strong  ;  and,  at  five 
o'clock,  the  course  was  made  northeast  a  quarter  east.  Aboiu 
seven  the  reefs  were  shaken  out  of  the  topsails  and  all  sail  was 
made.  The  wind  died  away,  little  by  little.  At  noon  our  lati- 
tude was  48".  During  the  afternoon  so  light  was  the  wind  that  we 
made  but  two  miles  an  hour.  The  sun  gave  out  a  great  deal  of 
heat,  and  it  was  the  pleasantcst  day  of  the  voyage  as  to  warmth 
and  clearness.  To-day  we  saw  much  sea-weed  of  the  kind  called 
porras  by  the  sailors,  and  this  is  a  good  sign  that  we  are  not  far 
from  land.  The  wind  was  light  during  the  afternoon  and  night, 
and  the  weather  was  very  fine. 

At  midnight  the  wind  was  very  light,  from  the  northwest  ;  and 
the  course  was  changed  to  northeast.  At  four  o'clock  on  the 
morning  of  tlic  uth,  the  day  breaking  very  clear  and  no  land  being 
seen,  the  ship's  head  was  put  northeast  a  quarter  north.  From 
this  time  the  wind  began  to  freshen,  and  we  made  three  miles  an 
hour.  At  eleven  o'clock  land  was  seen,  but  very  far  away.  It 
appeared  to  be  high  land,  for  over  the  bow  we  saw  a  snowy  hill 
which  seemed  to  be  very  lofty.  At  noon  the  navigating  officers 
took  an  observation,  and  Don  Juan  said  we  were  in  48''',  the  same 
as  yesterday,  but  Don  Esteban  said  that  he  obtained  an  observa- 
tion in  48°  52'.  I  do  not  know  why  the  results  of  these  obser- 
vations were  not  alike  ;  to-day,  as  on  all  other  days,  we  were 
informed  of  the  ship's  position.  During  the  afternoon  the  wind 
held   from  the  same  quarter,  but  it  died  away  gradually  until,  at 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


131 


the  voj-agt 
e  night  the 
s  very  hit;li, 
This  aflLT- 
had  prom- 
he  interces- 
lay  concc'iK' 
k"  sail  alon;; 
the  superior 
nd  the  King 

liere  was  no 
rding  to  the 
Judoubtedh 
the  needle ; 
!,  the  needle 
le  wind  went 
and,  at  five 
;ast.  About 
all  sail  was 
ion  our  lali- 
vind  that  we 
reat  deal  ol 
to  warnitli 
kind  called 
are  not  far 
and  night, 

iwest  ;  and 
ock  on  the 
0  land  being 
arth.  From 
ee  miles  an 
away.  It 
snowy  hill 
ting  officers 
8"',  the  same 
an  observa- 
these  obser- 
rs,  we  were 
n  the  wind 
lly  until,  at 


eight  o'clock  at  night,  it  was  a  dead  calm,  and  the  dew  began  to 
fall  and  a  fog  to  arise,  though  this  was  not  very  thick.  At  eleven 
o'clock  the  fog  was  thicker. 

At  dawn  on  the  7tli  it  was  calm,  and  the  fog  was  so  thick  we 
could  not  see  the  length  of  the  ship  ;  there  was  a  heavy  dew.  To- 
day both  fathers  celebrated  the  mass.  The  navigating  ofTicers 
could  not  obtain  an  observation  of  the  sun,  for  the  fog  lasted  all 
day  and  we  did  not  see  the  .sun.  During  the  afternoon  we  saw 
some  great  fishes  which  seemed  to  be  sharks,  but  it  was  said  that 
they  were  not.  These  are  the  first  fish  we  have  seen  during  the 
voyage.  The  calm  continued  all  day  and  during  the  following 
night. 

On  the  8th,  at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  :he  wind  came  from 
the  east,  light  and  variable,  and  the  course  was  north.  The  day 
dawned  with  the  sky  very  much  overcast,  but  there  was  no  low- 
lying  fog  nor  dew.  At  eight  o'clock  the  wind  hauled  to  the  south- 
east, although  it  was  light,  and  we  stood  in  towards  the  land  on  a 
northeast  course.  Whether  it  was  that  the  current  had  carried  us 
away  from  it  during  the  calm,  or  because  of  the  foggy  weather,  we 
saw  no  land.  At  about  elfeven  o'clock  we  caught  sight  of  land, 
but  did  not  see  the  snowy  hill,  for  the  coast  was  covered  with  a  fog. 
The  land  which  we  saw  bore  northeast,  about  six  leagues  away; 
it  was  rather  high  and  covered  with  forest.  In  the  southeast  there 
was  a  point  stretching  out  to  the  sea.  All  the  morning  the  ship 
made  three  miles  an  hour.  At  mid-day  the  sun  was  a  little  clearer 
and  the  navigating  officers  took  an  observation.  Don  Ksteban 
told  me  that  our  position  was  49"  05' ;  the  Captain  did  not  .say 
what  he  made  it.  About  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  we 
were  about  three  leagues  from  the  land,  the  wind  began  to  die 
away  ;  but,  aided  by  puffs,  we  reached  to  within  about  two  leagues 
of  it.  Here  several  casts  of  the  le  d  were  had,  with  bottom  in 
twenty-two  and  twenty-four  fathon.s.  About  four  o'clock  three 
canoes  came  out  to  us  ;  in  one  were  four  men,  three  in  another 
and  two  in  the  third.  They  remained  at  some  distance  from  the 
ship,  crying  out  and  making  gestures  that  we  should  go  away. 
After  some  time,  we  having  made  signs  to  them  that  they  should 
draw  near  without  fear,  they  did  so,  and  we  gave  them  to  under- 
stand that  we  were  in  search  of  water  ;  but  they  could  not  have 
been  satisfied  with  our  signs,  and  went  back  to  the  land.  In 
going  back  they  met  with  two  other  canoes  which  were  coming 
out  to  the  ship  ;  but,  after  communication  had  between  them,  they 
turned   back   towards   the   laud.      At  six,  having  arrived  within 


132 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


about  a  league  of  the  land,  and  good  holding-ground  being  found 
in  twenty-five  fathoms,  the  ship  came  to  an  anchor,'*  so  that  on  the 
following  day  we  might  go  ashore  and  take  possession  of  the  laiui 
in  the  name  of  the  King  Our  Lord.  At  the  time  of  anchoring  tlit 
wind  had  died  away  completely.  About  eight  o'clock  at  niglit 
three  canoes,  with  fifteen  pagans  in  them,  came  to  us  ;  but  they 
remained  at  a  distance  from  the  ship,  their  occupants  crying  out 
in  a  mournful  tone  of  voice.  We  called  to  them,  and  they  drew 
near.  Shortly  afterward  they  went  away  again,  bnt,  until  after 
eleven  o'clock,  they  remained  at  a  distance  of  about  a  musket-shot 
from  the  ship,  talking  among  themselves  and  sometimes  cryiiij^ 
out.  The  canoes  of  these  pagans  are  not  so  large  as  those  \vt 
saw  at  Point  Santa  Margarita  in  latitude  55",  nor  of  the  same 
shape.  The  largest  are  about  eight  yards  in  length,  with  a  long 
prow,  hollowed  out,  and  their  sterns  are  blunter.  The  paddles 
are  very  handsome  and  are  painted  and  are  shaped  like  a  shovtl 
with  a  point  about  a  quarter  ot  a  yard  long  at  the  end.  These 
canoes  appear  to  be  of  a  single  piece  ;  though  not  all  of  them,  for 
we  saw  some  of  pieces  bound  together.     All  are  very  well  made. 

The  9th  dawned  calm  and  clear  towards  the  northwest,  but  in 
other  quarters  there  was  fog.  Having  been  aroused,  the  crew 
began  to  get  the  long-boat  over  the  side,  in  order  to  go  ashore. 
While  this  was  doing  there  arrived  fifteen  canoes  with  about  a 
hundred  men  and  women.  We  gave  them  to  understand  that  they 
might  draw  near  without  fear,  and  presently  they  came  to  us  and 
began  to  trade  with  our  people  what  they  brought  in  their  canoes, 
which  consisted  only  of  the  skins  of  otters  and  other  animals,  hats 
of  rushes,  painted  and  with  the  crown  pointed,  and  cloths  woven 
of  a  kind  of  hemp,  having  fringes  of  the  same,  with  which  they 
clothe  themselves,  most  of  them  wearing  a  cape  of  this  material. 
Our  people  bought  several  of  these  articles,  in  exchange  for  old 
clothes,  shells  which  they  had  brought  from  Monterey  and  some 
knivc-  ;  for  these  and  the  shells  they  manifesting  greater  liking. 
We  did  not  see  cloths  woven  of  wool  among  them,  as  at  Santa  Mar- 
garita, nor  a''e  they  so  fully  clothed  as  were  those  natives.  The.se 
women  do  not  have  a  metal  disk  pendent  from  the  lip.  In  the 
possession  of  this  people  were  seen  some  implements  of  iron  and 
copper.  About  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  long-boat  being 
now   in   the   water,  the  wind  was  set  in  from  the  west,  and  it  was 

8.  Mr.  Baiiproft's  writer  Kivos  this  dak^  as  the  "tli,  and  the  date  of  cuttinR  the  cahjc  as 
the  »th.  (Ilistor;/  of  Ihr  Facific,  ■S<n(fs',  XXVII.,  l.Vi.)  Reference  to  the  account  of  Fallicr 
Crespi  sbowB  that  he,  also,  glve><  thet^e  dates  us  they  atu  givuu  by  Father  du  la  Fefia. 


being  found 
)  that  on  tile; 

of  the  hiiui 
ichoring  tlie 
:k  at  night 
s  ;  but  they 

crying  out 
id  they  drew 
;,  until  after 
musket-shot 
imes  crying 
IS  those  we 
of  the  same 
ivith  a  loiip 
rhe  paddles 
ke  a  shovel 
nd.  These 
of  them,  for 
well  made, 
west,  but  ill 
:d,  the   crew 

go  ashore, 
ith  about  a 
nd  that  they 
e  to  us  and 
:heir  canoes, 
nimals,  hats 
;loths  woven 

which  they 
lis  material, 
nge  for  old 
;y  and  some 
;ater  liking, 
t  Santa  Mar- 
ves.  Those 
p.  In  the 
of  iron  and 
-boat  being 

and  it  was 

ting  the  ciibje  as 
coimr  of  Futlicr 
!la  Pefia. 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


133 


noticed  that  it  was  forcing  us  towards  the  land,  the  anchor  not 
holding.  Immediately  preparations  for  weighing  anchor  were 
made,  so  that  sail  might  be  made  and  peril  avoided.  But  the 
high  wind  and  the  sea  carried  us  steadily  towards  the  shore,  so 
that  it  was  necessary  to  cut  the  cable  and  lose  the  anchor.  The 
cable  being  cut,  sail  was  made  with  the  ship's  head  to  the  south- 
west a  quarter  south,  and  with  great  difTiculty  we  managed  to 
weather  a  rocky  point  that  stretched  out  about  a  league  into  the 
sea.  The  Captain  named  the  anchorage  the  Roadstead  of  San 
Lorenzo,  some  hills  which  were  to  the  northwestward  of  this  road- 
stead he  called  Hills  of  Santa  Clara,  and  the  point  to  the  south- 
eastward he  named  San  K.steban.  According  to  what  the  Captain 
told  us,  this  roadstead  is  in  latitude  49"  30'.  Having  weathered  the 
point  of  rocks,  and  being  about  three  leagues  off  the  land,  so  great 
was  the  force  of  the  wind  and  the  sea  that  it  was  necessary  to 
take  in  all  sail  except  the  fore-.stay.sail,  so  that  the  long-boat 
might  be  got  on  board.  This  was  effected  with  great  difTiculty, 
and  the  boat  was  well-nigh  lost,  together  with  some  men  who 
were  in  it.  The  long-boat  being  got  on  board,  sail  was  made 
and  the  ship's  head  was  put  to  the  south-southwest.  The  wind 
kept  freshening  and  the  sea  rising.  At  noon  the  navigating 
officers  took  an  observation  and,  as  the  Captain  told  us,  the  posi- 
tion of  the  ship  was  49^  12'.  During  the  afternoon  the  wind 
hauled  to  northwest ;  the  wind  died  away  gradually  ;  at  nightfall 
its  force  was  very  slight  and  during  the  night  it  was  calm. 

At  daybreak  on  the  lotli  the  calm  continued.  The  sky  was 
overcast  but  the  fog  was  not  low,  and  the  coast  was  made  out 
confusedly,  at  a  distance  of  fifteen  leagues.  To-day  we  two 
fathers  celebrated  the  mass.  At  noon  the  sun  did  not  shine,  for 
which  reason  no  observation  was  taken.  All  day  the  sky  was 
overcast  and  the  calm  continued,  although  during  the  afternoon 
there  were  occasional  breezes  from  the  northwest,  so  light  that  one 
could  scarcely  note  the  movement  of  the  ship.  During  the  night 
the  sky  cleared  a  little  and  the  calm  continued. 

The  nth  dawned  calm  and  the  sky  was  cloudy — as  it  was  yes- 
terday. The  coast  was  seen  very  distinctly  to  the  northeast  and 
about  ten  leagues  away  ;  to  the  eastward  and  northward  it  was 
farther  off.  The  send  of  the  sea  was  from  the  northwest ;  there 
were  light  puffs  of  wind,  and  the  ship  was  drifting  to  east-north- 
east, as  had  been  the  case  since  the  wind  had  become  less.  To 
the  eastvard  we  saw  a  very  high  hill  covered  with  snow,  which,  at 
first  sight,  appeared  to  be  a  white  cliff.      The  rest  of  the  land  is 


'34 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


high  also,  and  all  is  very  broken,  but  without  snow  except  on  liit 
hill  mentioned.  About  ten  o'clock  the  sun  shone  out  a  little,  and 
at  noon  the  navigating  officers  took  an  observation  in  48"  09',  ac- 
cording to  what  the  Captain  told  us.  During  the  afternoon  liglit 
bree/es  still  came  from  the  northwest  ;  they  were  somewhat 
stronger  than  in  the  morning,  but  not  so  constant.  At  thrct 
o'clock  the  ship's  head  was  put  to  the  eastward,  and,  after  four 
o'clock,  the  wind  came  stronger  from  the  northwest.  We  made 
three  miles  an  hour  on  the  course  mentioned.  At  five  o'clock, 
being  at  a  distance  of  some  seven  leagues  from  the  snowy  hill, 
which  the  Captain  named  the  Hill  of  Santa  Rosalia,  it  was 
apparent  that  it  was  not  a  white  cliff,  as  it  had  been  thought  to  be 
by  some  ;  and,  farther  to  the  northward,  other  snowy  peaks  were 
seen.  From  a  distance  the  snowy  hill  of  vSanta  Rosalia  seemed  to 
be  close  to  the  sea  ;  but,  on  drawing  nearer  to  it,  it  appeared  that 
it  was  inland,  at  some  distance  from  the  shore,  like  the  snowy  hill 
to  the  northward  of  the  roadstead  of  San  Lorenzo.  At  six  o'clock 
everything  was  hidden  by  a  fog  so  thick  and  wet  that  the  bow  oi 
the  ship  could  not  be  seen  from  the  stern  ;  but,  in  less  than  an 
hour  it  had  disappeared,  the  weather  being  fair  although  the  hori- 
zon was  obscured.  After  seven  o'clock  the  course  was  southeast, 
the  intention  being  to  remain  near  the  coast,  in  order  to  find  out 
whether  on  the  day  following  an  anchorage  might  not  be  found. 
The  wind  continued  light  from  the  northwest,  and  at  ten  o'clock 
at  night  the  fog  came  on  again. 

As  the  1 2th  began  the  wind  went  to  south-southeast,  and  the 
ship's  head  was  put  to  the  eastward.  So  much  moisture  came 
from  the  fog  that  it  seemed  a  shower.  At  four  o'clock  we  went 
about  and  stood  seaward  on  a  west  by  south  course,  for  the 
weather  was  so  thick  by  reason  of  the  fog  that  the  land  could 
not  be  seen,  although  so  near.  This  morning  there  was  a  good 
deal  of  rain  and  some  squalls.  The  wind  was  not  very  strong  but, 
because  of  the  dampness,  it  was  cold.  At  nine  o'clock  the  wind 
went  to  the  southwest,  and  we  tacked  and  stood  for  the  land,  on  a 
southeast  course.  To-day  no  observation  could  be  had  on  account 
of  the  fog,  the  sun  not  being  seen  at  any  time  during  the  day. 
At  four  in  the  afternoon  the  wind  went  back  to  the  southward, 
and  the  ship  went  about  and  stood  off  shore  on  a  west  by  south 
course.  During  the  night  the  fog  became  much  denser  and 
there  was  a  drizzling  rain  until  dawn.  The  wind  remained  vari- 
able, from  south  to  southwest  and  was  very  light  all  night,  which 
we  passed  in  standing  off  and  on. 


:xcept  on  tiie 
t  a  little,  and 
I  48"  09'.  ac- 
;ernoon  light 
'e  soniewliat 
t.  At  three 
id,  after  four 
:.  We  made 
five  o'clock, 
snowy  hill, 
salia,  it  was 
hought  to  be 
/  peaks  were 
la  seemed  to 
ppeared  that 
le  snowy  hill 
It  six  o'clock 
at  the  bow  of 
less  than  an 
-Tgh  the  hori- 
IS  southeast, 
;r  to  find  out 
lot  be  found, 
:  ten  o'clock 

;ast,  and  the 

)isture  came 

ck  we  went 

rse,   for   the 

land  could 

was  a  good 

Y  strong  but, 

k  the  wind 

land,  on  a 

on  account 

ng  the  day. 

southward, 

by   south 

denser   and 

laiiied  vari- 

ight,  which 


it 


Doanunits  from  the  Sutro  Colhctiou. 


135 


At  daybreak  on  the  13th  the  sky  cleared  and  the  sun  shone  out 
well  for  about  two  hours  ;  about  seven  o'clock  the  sky  became 
overcast  again.  At  dawn  we  were  near  the  coast,  about  five 
leagues  away,  and  a  considerable  stretch  of  land  was  discerned, 
not  very  high  and  covered  with  forest.  There  were  .several  breaks 
in  the  line,  like  bights  ;  but,  as  the  wind  was  light  and  on  the 
beam,  we  could  not  get  near  it.  About  nine  o'clock  the  south- 
west wind  freshened  considerably  and  there  was  a  heavy  sea  on. 
All  the  morning  our  course  was  southeast  and  south  by  east. 
No  observation  could  be  taken  as  the  sky  was  overcast.  Dur- 
ing the  afternoon  the  sun  shone  out  at  intervals  and  the  wind 
went  to  the  westward;  it  was  not  very  strong,  but  there  was  a  very 
heavy  sea.  During  the  night  the  wind  was  shifting  from  we.st  to 
northwest,  and  the  .ship  rolled  a  great  deal.  All  the  afternoon  and 
night  the  course  was  south  by  east,  and  we  made  two  miles 
and  a  half  an  hour.  The  sky  remained  overcast  with  very  dense 
and  black  clouds  from  which  some  drops  of  rain  fell. 

The  14th  dawned  with  a  cloudy  sky,  although  it  was  not  so 
overcast  as  it  had  been  yesterday  and  during  the  night.  The 
wind  came  from  the  north,  very  light,  and,  as  the  send  of  the  sea 
was  from  the  west,  the  ship  rolled  so  that  we  could  not  keep  our 
footing,  for  which  reason  it  was  not  possible  to  celebrate  the  mass. 
Although  the  coast  was  very  much  obscured  by  the  fog,  about 
seven  o'clock  in  the  morning  we  saw  land  to  the  eastward,  about 
eight  leagues  or  more  away.  During  the  morning  there  were 
some  squalls;  also  rain,  though  not  much.  At  eight  o'clock  the 
wind  went  to  the  northeast,  very  light  and  shifting.  The  sky 
cleared  several  times,  but  every  little  while  it  was  overcast  again 
and  squalls  came  up.  At  noon  the  navigating  officers  took  an 
observation  of  the  sun  in  46*^  08',  as  the  Captain  informed  us,  but 
they  were  not  satisfied  with  this  observation,  for,  while  they  were 
taking  it,  a  squall  came  up  and  hid  the  sun.  During  the  after- 
noon there  were  light  winds  from  the  northeast,  and  the  sea  was 
from  the  west,  almost  as  heavy  as  in  the  morning.  At  nightfall 
the  wind  went  back  to  the  north  and  blew  fresh  ;  all  night  long 
we  made  three  miles  and  a  half  an  hour  on  a  south-southeast 
course.     The  sky  was  clear  and  cloudless. 

The  15th  dawned  very  fair  and  the  sky  was  clear;  the  wind 
fresh,  as  during  the  night.  To-day,  although  there  was  a  good 
deal  of  tossing  about  as  the  sea  came  from  the  west,  with  some 
difficulty  I  celebrated  the  mass.  Father  Fray  Juan  did  not  cele- 
brate as  he  feared  the  movement  of  the  ship.     At  dawn  we  were 


136 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


i 


al)out  four  leagues  off  the  coast  and  saw  a  considerable  stretch  oi 
land  of  medium  altitude  and  covered  with  a  growth  of  trees — as 
they  told  me,  for  I  was  unable  to  distinguish  this.  According  lo 
what  the  Captain  said,  this  stretch  of  land  trends  north- northwest 
and  south-southeast.  I'Vom  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  wlieii 
land  was  seen,  until  eight,  the  course  was  south  by  ea.st  ;  ami, 
after  eight,  south  .southeast.  At  tioon  the  navigating  officers  took 
an  observation,  and,  as  the  Captain  told  us,  we  were  in  44^  35', 
All  the  morning  we  ran  along  the  land,  about  three  leagues  from 
it  ;  during  the  afternoon  our  course  was  the  same,  and  the  coast 
was  very  clearly  visible  because  the  land  was  not  .so  obscured  by 
vapor  as  it  had  been  in  the  morning.  This  land  is  thickly  covered 
with  tindier,  apparently  pine,  not  only  on  the  summit  but  aloiii; 
the  flanks  of  the  hills.  Immediately  on  the  coast  we  saw  some 
level  land  where  there  was  no  timber  but  a  heavy  growth  of  grass 
and  there  were  .several  white  cliffs  close  to  the  sea,  and  so 
ravines,  or  openings,  running  northeastwardly  and  northwt, . 
wardly.  In  all  the  land  .seen  to-day  we  could  not  discern  any 
snow.  More  to  the  southward  the  land  is  low-lying.  At  six 
o'clock  land  .stretching  out  ahead  of  us  and  to  the  southward  was 
seen,  and  from  that  time  until  eight  o'clock  the  course  was  south- 
west ;  at  this  hour  the  ship's  head  was  put  to  the  southward,  and 
this  course  was  held  all  night.  All  day  the  sun  was  out,  but  ♦li" 
wind  was  very  cold  and  so  strong  that  at  nightfall  the  ship 
was  going  at  the  rate  of  five  miles  and  a  half  an  hour,  under 
courses  and  reefed  topsails. 

The  1 6th  dawned  fair  and  the  sky  was  clear,  as  it  was  yesterday, 
but  the  horizon  was  very  much  obscured  by  a  smoke-like  fog 
The  wind  was  fresh,  although  not  so  much  so  as  during  the  night. 
The  land  could  not  be  seen,  on  account  of  this  smoky  appearance, 
but  it  was  thought  that  it  could  not  be  very  far  away  because  the 
sun  was  already  high  in  the  heavens  when  we  saw  it.  At  five 
o'clock  in  the  morning  the  ship's  head  was  put  to  south-south- 
east. At  eight  the  wind  began  to  die  away  and  the  fog  to  thicken 
so  that  we  could  hardly  see  the  sun.  At  noon  it  was  dead  calm. 
The  navigating  officers  took  an  observation,  and  the  Captain  said 
that  our  position  was  in  42"  38'.  During  the  afternoon  a  very 
wet,  cold  fog  arose,  accompanied  by  shifting  nuffs  of  wind  from 
the  southeast  and  east-northeast.  At  sunset  tne  sky  was  some- 
what clearer,  but  the  horizon  remained  obscured,  except  in  the 
west.  About  nine  at  night  the  horizon  was  clear  in  all  quarters, 
but  it  soon  became  obscured  again  and  a  heavy  dew  fell.     All  day 


»lc  stretch  oi 
of  trees — as 
/\ccording  lo 
th  northwest 
>niiiig,  whtii 
y  east  ;  atul, 
officers  took 
.'  in    44^  35'. 
eagues  from 
nd  the  coast 
obscured  by 
ckly  covered 
it  but  aloiis; 
e   saw   some 
wth  of  grass 
a,  and  so 
1  northwc. 
t  discern  any 
ng.      At  six 
uthward  was 
;e  was  south- 
tthward,  and 
out,  but  •Ii'' 
all   the   ship 
hour,  under 

[is  yesterday, 
ce-like  fog 
ig  the  night, 
appearance, 
because  the 
it.  At  five 
south-south- 
g  to  thicken 
dead  calm. 
i^aptain  said 
oon  a  very 
wind  from 
was  some- 
xept  in  the 
ill  quarters, 
11.     All  day 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


'37 


long  the  coast  was  invisible,  on  account  of  the  fog,  and  because, 
undoubtedly,  we  were  so  far  away  from  it;  as  at  nine  we  could  not 
see  it,  although  the  moon  was  very  bright,  for  the  horizon  was 
as  I  have  said.  I  conjecture  that  in  this  latitude  are  situate  the 
white  cape  of  San  Sebastian  and  that  famous  deep,  navigable 
river  called  the  River  of  Martin  de  Aguilar,  which  was  discovered 
by  the  ship  under  his  command  during  the  voyage  of  General 
Sebastian  Vizcaino  ;  for,  although  it  is  recorded  in  history,  in 
accordance  with  an  observation  made  by  Antonio  Flores,  naviga- 
ting officer  of  said  ship,  that  the  cape  and  river  are  in  43**,  the 
latitude  should  be  taken  to  be  less  than  this,  because  o'  serva- 
tions  with  the  modern  octant  have  made  the  latitude  less  at  other 
places  where  it  had  been  determined  by  means  of  the  instni  lents 
of  that  time.  At  half  past  eleven  at  night  a  gentle  breeze  came 
ron?  the  northwest ;  in  a  little  while  the  wind  went  to  the  north 

'd  remained  in  that  quarter  during  the  night,  constantly  increas- 
ing in  force.     All  night  the  course  was  south  by  west. 

Dawn  on  the  17th  was  quite  foggy,  and  the  wind  so  strong  that 
it  was  necessary  to  reduce  sail  to  the  foresail  only.  After  five 
o'clock,  at  which  hour  this  was  effected,  the  course  was  south.  I 
do  not  know  what  the  rate  of  sailing  was  for  the  log  is  no  longer 
hove.  At  six  o'clock  the  sky  and  the  horizon  began  to  clear 
partially.  At  mid-day  the  navigating  officers  got  an  observation 
in  41°  27',  as  the  Captain  told  us.  At  one  o'clock  the  wind  had 
lessened  a  little  and  the  mainsail  and  the  fore-topsail  were  set.  At 
that  hour  the  ship's  head  was  put  south-southeast  and  this  was 
the  course  during  the  afternoon.  Although  the  weather  was  clear 
all  day  the  land  was  not  seen,  the  horizon  beiug  hazy.  By  night 
the  wind  had  fallen  still  more,  and  our  course  was  southeast 
and  southeast  by  south.  This  was  the  coldest  night  of  the  whole 
voyage,  but  it  was  clear  until  nearly  daybreak. 

About  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  on  the  i8th,  the  fog  was 
very  dense  and  wet,  the  wind  had  a" most  died  away,  and,  the  course 
being  southeast,  with  the  little  wind  that  was  stirring  and  the  sea 
being  from  the  northward,  the  rate  of  sailing  was  good.  This 
morning  the  cold  was  felt  much  more.  At  ten  o'clock  the  sun 
began  to  shine  forth,  though  feebly.  On  account  of  thg  fog  no 
observation  was  taken  to-day,  but  I  think  that  we  were  in  40®, 
although  there  might  be  a  difference  of  a  few  minutes.  At  one 
o'clock  the  sky  was  very  clear,  but  the  horizon  was  much  obscured, 
except  in  the  northwest.  All  the  afternoon  the  sun  shone  and 
there  were  light  puffs  of  wind  from  the  north.    At  nightfall  these 

12 


»58 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


were  stronger  and  the  night  was  clear  until  half  past  eleven 
o'clock,  when  it  was  a  dead  calm  and  the  sky  was  covered  with  a 
very  thick  fog,  while  there  fell  a  dew  so  heavy  that  it  seemed  as 
if  it  had  rained. 

On  the  19th  it  was  still  calm,  with  the  fog  and  the  dew  as  dur- 
ing the  night.  This  morning  light  winds  came  from  the  southeast 
and  the  course  was  southwest,  but  the  movement  of  the  ship  was 
very  little.  By  reason  of  the  fog  the  sun  was  not  seen  during  the 
morning,  nor  could  an  observation  be  taken  at  noon.  In  the  after- 
noon it  was  still  calm,  and  there  were  shifting,  Mgfht  winds  from 
the  north  and  northeast,  the  ship's  head  being  kept  southeast  and 
south-sof  theast.  About  seven  it  began  to  blow  gently  from  the 
northwest,  and  the  ship's  head  was  put  southeast  a  quarter  east ; 
but  before  eight  o'clock  the  wind  died  away,  and  all  night  long 
there  was  a  calm.  During  the  whole  day  the  fog  did  not  lift,  nor 
could  the  sun  be  seen.  It  was  quite  cold  and  a  heavy  dew  fell.  I 
think  that  this  dampness  is  the  cause  of  the  mal  de  Loanda,  or 
scurvy ;  for,  although  during  the  whole  voyage  there  have  been 
sotoe  persons  affected  with  this  sickness,  these  cases  have  not  been 
as  aggravated  as  they  are  now,  when  there  are  more  than  twenty 
men  unfit  for  duty,  in  addition  to  which  many  others,  though  able 
to  go  about,  have  sores  in  the  mouth  and  on  the  legs ;  and  I 
believe  that  if  God  do  not  send  better  weather  soon  the  greater 
part  of  the  crew  must  perish  with  this  disease,  from  the  rate  they 
are  falling  sick  of  it  during  these  days  of  wet  and  cold  fog. 

The  dawn  of  the  20th  was  calm,  and  the  fog  was  as  dense,  cold 
ajad  wet  as  it  had  been  during  previous  days.  It  lasted  all  day, 
without  letting  the  sun  be  seen,  except  that  it  was  clear  for  a  short 
time  at  noon,  sufficient  for  us  to  learn  whereabouts  we  were.  At 
this  hour  the  Captain  got  an  observation  of  the  sun  in  39°  48',  but 
said  that  this  observation  was  not  reliable  because  of  the  little 
brilliancy  of  the  sun  and  as  the  horizon  was  obscured.  During 
the  afternoon  the  sails  were  taken  in  because  they  were  being 
threshed  to  pieces  against  the  rigging  owing  to  the  calm  and 
the  rolling  of  the  ship.  All  day  long  and  during  the  night  a 
great  deal  of  moisture  fell  from  the  fog,  which  was  extremely 
dense  and  cold.  This  makes  all  of  us  very  disconsolate,  for  it  is 
seen  that  the  men  continue  sickening,  and  we  do  not  know  defi' 
nitely  whete  we  are,  there  having  passed  three  days  without  the 
navigating  officers  being  able  to  observe  the  sun  with  accuracy. 
May  it  please  God  to  give  us  that  which  may  seem  good  to  him. 


Atoi 

and  by 

At  daw 

The  pt 

tear  th^ 

did  not 

At  nine 

althoug 

south-S( 

head  to 

and  th( 

one,  in 

thicker, 

there  w^ 

the  fog 

sky  ren 

rather  f] 

fall  the 

were  pu 

north. 

The  : 

nor  dew 

coast  wa 

a  point  ( 

nine  leaj 

eastward 

leagues. 

is  nearc! 

clothed  y 

seen  wh< 

stretch  o 

which  n 

Cape  Me 

few  mini 

obtained 

five    we 

the  sout 

east  and 

intervals 

milder  tl 

around  t 

tained  a 


past  eleven 
peered  with  a 
it  seemed  as 

dew  as  dur- 
the  southeast 
;he  ship  was 
a  during  the 
In  the  after- 
winds  from 
>utheast  and 
tly  from  the 
quarter  east ; 
1  night  long 
not  lift,  nor 
'  dew  fell.  I 
ie  Loanda,  or 
re  have  been 
lave  not  been 
than  twentv 
,  though  able 
legs ;  and  I 
the  greater 
he  rate  they 
dfog. 

s  dense,  cold 

isted  all  day, 

ar  for  a  short 

i^  were.    At 

I  39°  48',  but 

:  of  the  little 

ed.     During 

f  were  being 

le  calm  and 

the  night  a 

IS  extremely 

late,  for  it  is 

>t  know  defi* 

without  the 

th  accuracy. 

od  to  htm. 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection, 


139 


Atone  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  21st  it  began  to  blow  gently, 
and  by  fits  and  starts,  from  the  east,  east-Sotttheast  and  sontheast. 
At  dawn  such  was  the  humidity  of  the  fog  that  it  seemed  a  shower. 
The  puffs  of  wind  soon  died  away,  so  that  they  barely  served  to 
tear  the  sails.  To-day  I  celebrated  the  mass  ;  Father  Fray  Jfnan 
did  not,  because  he  was  sick  of  an  indisposition  of  the  stomach. 
At  nine  in  the  morning  it  began  to  blow  from  the  southeast  again, 
although  very  gently,  and  the  ship  moved,  though  slowly,  to  the 
south -southwest.  At  half  pa.st  eleven  we  went  about  with  her 
head  to  east-northeast.  At  mid-day  the  sun  brightened  a  little 
and  the  Captain  got  an  observation,  though  not  a  very  reliable 
one,  in  39°  30'.  During  the  afternoon  the  fog  became  much 
thicker,  and  a  great  deal  of  water,  as  cold  as  ice,  came  from  it,  and 
there  were  light  winds  from  the  southeast.  At  six  in  the  evening 
the  fog  lifted,  and  the  weather  was  somewhat  clearer,  though  the 
sky  remained  cloudy,  and  the  wind,  which  was  variable,  blew 
rather  fresher  from  the  southeast  and  south-southeast.  At  night- 
fall the  cky  was  clearer  and  the  moon  was  seen.  All  night  there 
were  puffs  of  wind,  and  the  course  was  east-northeast  and  east  by 
north. 

The  22d  dawned  with  a  cloudy  sky,  but  there  was  neither  fog 
nor  dew,  while  the  horizon  was  fairly  clear.  At  five  o'clock  the 
coast  was  made,  about  six  leagues  away.  To  the  northward  was 
a  point  of  land  close  to  the  sea.  It  bore  north-aorthwest,  i:..!30Ut 
nine  leagues  distant,  and  the  land  beyond  that  point  to  the  soath- 
eastward  is  very  high  and  broken  for  a  distance  of  more  than  five 
leagues.  That  adjoining  this  on  the  southeast  is  the  land  which 
is  nearest  to  us  to  the  eastward,  and  is  of  medium  altitude  and 
clothed  with  timber,  at  least  on  the  summits,  which  were  fUinly 
seen  when  the  sun  shone  out.  On  the  southeast  there  was  a  long 
stretch  of  lower  land,  like  a  range  of  hills.  The  point  ref«.frcd  to, 
which  remained  in  sight  on  the  north-northwest,  we  took  to  be 
Cape  Mendocino ;  if  this  be  the  case,  this  cape  must  be  in  40*,  a 
few  minutes  more  or  less,  according  to  an  observation  the  Captain 
obtained  yesterday  and  the  course  we  have  held.  At  half  past 
five  we  went  about  and  stood  off  shore,  to  the  southwest  and 
the  south-southwest,  with  variable  light  winds  from  the  south- 
east and  south-southeast.  This  morning  the  sun  shone  out  a* 
intervals  but  was  soon  hidden  by  ciouds,  and  the  weather  was 
milder  than  it  has  been.  At  noon  the  sun  shone  out,  and  all 
around  the  horizon  was  very  clear.  The  navigating  officers  ob- 
tained a  very  satisfactory  observation,  and  the  Captain  said  that 


140 


Historical  Society  0/  Southern  California. 


the  ship  was  In  latitude  39°  46'.  About  three  in  the  afternoon 
the  sky  was  overcast  again.  At  four  we  tacked  and  stood  for  the 
land,  the  course  being  east-northeast  and  the  wind  very  light  from 
the  southeast.  At  five  we  went  abotit  again,  and  the  wind  was  a 
little  less.  All  night  long  it  was  calm,  except  for  an  occasional 
puff  of  wind  from  the  southeast ;  the  sky  was  overcast,  though  not 
very  dark,  and  there  was  fog  on  the  horizon,  although  no  dew  fell. 

At  daybreak  on  the  23d  we  discovered  the  coast,  although  it  was 
a  long  way  off  and  rendered  indistinct  by  the  fog.  This  morning 
it  began  to  blow  very  light  from  the  south-southeast.  Our  course 
was  southwest,  and  we  soon  lost  sight  of  the  land,  for  a  thick  fog 
shut  down  all  around  us.  After  nine  o'clock  the  sun  was  seen  at 
intervals,  but  these  were  very  brief.  To-day  no  cold  was  felt,  the 
weather  being  very  mild.  At  ten  the  wind  began  to  freshen  and 
the  sky  became  so  overcast  that  no  observation  of  the  sun  could  be 
obtained.  During  the  afternoon  the  force  of  the  wind  decreased, 
and  by  six  o'clock  it  had  died  away  entirely.  After  eight  o'clock 
there  was  a  drizzling  rain,  which  continued  at  intervals  until 
twelve.  At  ten  o'clock  at  night  it  began  to  blow  very  gently  from 
the  east,  but  soon  the  wind  hauled  to  the  northear*-  and  was  rather 
stronger.     All  night  the  course  was  southeast  by  east. 

Before  dawn  on  the  24th  the  wind  went  to  the  northward  and 
blew  rather  strong  until  eight  o'clock  in  the  m.orning,  when  it  was 
almost  a  dead  calm.  This  morning  we  two  Fathers  celebrated  the 
mass.  The  sky  remained  so  clouded  over  that  only  at  six  o'clock 
was  the  sun  visible  for  a  short  time.  About  ten  it  began  to  blow 
rather  fresh  from  the  north,  but  the  wind  died  away  gradually. 
At  eleven  the  sky  became  very  dark,  and  rain  threatened ;  some 
drops  of  water  fell,  though  they  were  few,  and  presently  the  fog 
returned,  wet  but  not  very  thick.  The  navigating  officers  were  not 
able  to  get  an  observation  because  the  day  was  so  cloudy  and  dark. 
At  four  in  the  afternoon  the  Captain  ordered  the  course  to  be  made 
southeast,  because,  although  during  the  day  land  was  not  seen, 
it  was  considered  that  we  could  not  be  very  far  away  from  it  and 
that  undoubtedly  we  should  have  seen  it  had  not  the  day  been  so 
dark.  After  eight  in  the  evening  the  vessel  rolled  a  great  deal, 
for  there  was  a  very  heavy  sea  from  the  north.  After  that  hour 
the  wind  was  from  the  northwest,  very  light,  and  the  ship's  head 
was  put  to  southeast  a  quarter  east.  The  sky  was  much  obscured 
and  the  hori.7-on  concealed  by  fog. 

At  half  past  three  on  the  morning  of  the  25th  there  was  a  dead 
calm,  but  all  the  time  there  was  a  very  heavy  sea  from  the  nortli ; 


the  afternoon 
stood  for  the 
iry  light  from 
e  wind  was  a 
in  occasional 
t,  though  not 
h  no  dew  fell, 
Lhough  it  was 
this  morning 
Our  course 
»r  a  thick  fog 
1  was  seen  at 

was  felt,  the 
3  freshen  and 

sun  could  be 
id  decreased, 
sight  o'clock 
itervals  until 
^  gently  from 
id  was  rather 

jrthward  and 
,  when  it  was 
elebrated  the 
it  six  o'clock 
egan  to  blow 
ly  gradually, 
tened  ;  some 
ntly  the  fog 
:ers  were  not 
dy  and  dark, 
e  to  be  made 
as  not  seen, 

from  it  and 
day  been  so 
1  great  deal, 
tx  that  hour 

ship's  head 
tch  obscured 

;  was  a  dead 
I  the  north; 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


141 


farther  up  the  coast,  undoubtedly,  it  has  been  blowing  strong  from 
that  directioti.  During  the  morning  the  sky  remained  very  much 
ol.sci.iied,  and  there  was  a  great  deal  of  fog  on  the  horizon,  and, 
from  time  to  time,  light,  variable  winds  from  the  east  and  south- 
east. At  eleven  o'clock  it  began  to  blow  rather  fresh  from  the 
southeast,  and  the  course  was  made  northeast.  At  that  hour  the 
sky  cleared  a  little,  and  the  sun  was  visible,  although  the  horizon 
remained  obscured  as  before.  By  twelve  o'clock  the  wind  had 
died  away  again.  To-day  the  navigating  officers  obtained  an 
obsei"vation,  and  the  Captain  told  us  we  were  in  latitude  38°  38'. 
During  ihe  afternoon  the  sky  was  covered  with  clouds,  and  there 
were  light  puffs  of  wind,  at  times  from  the  north  and  then  from 
the  south.  About  six  o'clock  in  the  evening  the  wind  went  to 
north-northwest  and  was  steady  but  light.  By  nightfall  it  was 
stronger,  but  shifted  about  between  northwest  and  west-northwest. 
From  six  o'clock  to  eight  the  course  was  east-southeast ;  during 
the  rest  of  the  night  it  was  southeast  by  east.  The  night  was  very 
dark,  and  there  was  a  good  deal  of  wet  fog. 

At  daybreak  on  the  26th  there  was  a  great  deal  of  fog  and  dew, 
and  a  very  light  wind.  Just  after  dawn  the  ship's  head  was  put 
east-southeast.  The  coast  could  not  be  seen  on  ace  mt  of  the 
heavy  fog  and  the  thickness  of  the  weather,  but  we  saw  many 
land  birds,  great  and  small,  and  some  ducks  of  a  kind  said  to  fre- 
quent fresh  water.  At  eight  o'clock  the  wind  had  died  away 
entirely,  and  so  much  moisture  came  from  the  fog  that  it  seemed 
to  be  raining.  At  nine  light  puffs  of  wind  from  the  northwest 
began  to  blow  again  ;  the  wind  soon  freshened  and  the  weather 
cleared  a  little.  At  ten  o'clock,  at  the  distance  of  a  league  and  a 
half  to  the  southeast,  the  Farallones  of  San  Francisco  were  seen  ; 
these  lie  southwest  of  Point  Reyes  and  the  Port  of  San  Fran- 
cisco,^ about  five  leagues  away  the  Captain  said.  As  soon  as 
these  farallon£s  were  seen  the  Captain  ordered  the  course  to  be 


9.  Mr.  Ilancroft's  writer,  (//;•■■ -V  o/  iht  /"ac/jt;  .?/!a«»,  XIU.,  22S),  gnyg  "beyond  a  mere 
glimpse  of  McndocJuo  aii(i  the  Fardliones."  The  "Kliinp8e"of  the/ara/Hones  seems  to  havo 
been  a  very  decided  Klimpxc.  Tht  writer  adds  :  "  It  is  to  be  noticed  that  in  spealcinK  of  the 
Istter  iilands  as  a  liindroark  for  San  Kranolsco  tho  diarists  oli-arly  locate  that  port  under 


Point  Keyes,  and  speak  of  tjio  other  bay  discovered  five  years  before  as  the  granite  eeUro, 

■"'  "    ""    In 

IP 
«tatement  in  the  darument  printed  hereitiafter.    Mr.  Bancroft's  writer,  In  a  foot-note  to 


not  yet  named. 

ttf  Father  Oresni  says  nothing  about  "the  grande  ktero 


Th 


thifi  diary  Falher  de  la  I'ci^a  s»ys  nothinK  about  any  "qrande  eetero.' 

in 


'  will  he  learned  from  his  own 


tlie  pajfo  last  referred  to,  arouses  Father  Crespl  of  making  "a  lone  and  confusing  argument" 
•bout  whether  or  not  fhene  famllnnf.H  were  those  seen  bv  the  expedition  of  1769,  an  expedi- 
tion of  which  Father  Crespl  was  n  member.  As  the  writer  makes  Father  Crcspl  say  that 
the  farall'mri  seen  on  this  2Wh  August,  1774,  were  "80  leagues  from  Pt.  Reyes,"  It  Is  not  to 
be  wondered  at  that,  In  that  writer's  opinion,  the  frinr's  "argument"  is  rather  "confusing." 
Inwritlngof  theport  of  San  Frnncisco  both  Fathers  wrote  of  tho"puurtode  San  Francisco," 
nnw  known  as  "Francis  Drake's  Bay,"  or  "Drake's  Bay  "  The  farailones  were  called 
"FaralUmtn  cU  San  FrancUco"  long  before  the  present  Ban  Francisco  Bay  was  known  or 
dreamed  of. 


142 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


made  southwest,  so  as  to  leave  them  to  leeward,  as  it  is  not  known 
whether  the  passage  between  them  and  the  mainland  is  good  oi 
not.     As  the  wind  was  fresh,  at  eleven  o'clock  we  were  already  up 
with  them ;  and  we  saw,  farther  to  the  southeast,  another  group 
of  farallones,  about  two  leagues  to  the  southeastward  of  the  first. 
The  first  group  consists  of  seven  high,  sharp  crags,  some  larger 
than  others,  and  near  them  some  rocks  under  water.    They  occupy, 
all  together,  an  area  of  about  a  league  in  circumference.     We 
passed  very  close  to  them.     Those  to  the  southeastward  appear  to 
be  larger.     I  could  not  make  out  with  certainty  how  many  in  num- 
ber they  are,  for  we  passed  them  at  a  distance  ;  but  it  seemed  to 
me  that  there  were  six  craggy  peaks,  one  of  those  in  the  middle 
being  greater  than  the  others.     When  we  had  gone  to  a  short  dis' 
tance  beyond  the  ^rsX  farallones  the  head  of  the  ship  was  put  south 
by  west,  and,  at  twelve  o'clock,  south  by  east.     We  could  not  see 
the  coast,  nor  get  an  observation,  because,  in  all  directions,  the 
fog  was  very  thick.     All  the  afternoon  the  same  very  favorable 
wind  held  and  our  course  was  to  the  southeastward.     At  sunset 
the  sky  cleared,  and  the  horizon  to  the  northward  and  westw.ard; 
to  the  southward  and  eastward  it  remained  obscured,  for  which 
reason  we  could  not  see  the  land.     During  the  night  the  wind 
freshened  a  little,  and  the  ship's  head  was  put  southeast  a  quarter 
east,  in  order  that  we  might  get  in  toward  the  land  in  order  to 
make  an  examination  of  it  at  daybreak  on  the  day  following. 

The  27th  dawned  clear,  although  the  sky  was  rather  cloudy  and 
the  horizon  obscured  by  fog.  As  the  day  broke  land  was  made  to 
the  eastward,  about  three  leagues  away,  and  it  was  said  to  be 
Point  Alio  Nuevo,  We  held  on  to  the  southeastward  until  ten 
o'clock,  when  Point  Pinos  was  seen,  and  then  our  course  was  east- 
southeast  until  we  cast  anchor.  At  nine  in  the  morning  the  sky 
became  very  clear  and  the  sun  shone  out  well.  At  noon  the  navi- 
gating officers  got  an  observation,  and  our  position  was  found 
to  be  r.oout  four  leagues  to  the  northwestward  of  Point  Pinos. 
The  Captain  said  that  the  latitude  was  36"  35'.  During  the  after- 
noon the  wind  remained  fresh,  but  it  was  hauling  to  the  westward; 
and,  about  three,  when  we  were  abreast  of  Point  Pinos,  it  went  to 
the  southwest.  It  lacked  a  little  of  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
when  we  came  to  an  anchor  in  this  port  of  Saii  Cdrlos  de  Monterey. 
Blessed  be  God  and  forever  praised,  and  his  mpst  holy  mother,  Our 
I^ady  Mary  I     Amen. 


I  note 
tune  on  I 
neither 
strong 
ocean  it| 
jcidmed, 
it  was  n^ 

I  n( 
tude  ret 
able  to  1^ 
anchorii 
tke  coasl 
thick  w( 
Of  all  tl 
in  such 

Finall 
the  voya 
dent ;  at 
the  favoi 
which  w 
care  to  o 
purpose  I 
tmth,  I  I 
28th  day 


niAR 

^  Col 
del  viajt 
la  Nuev 
Juan  Pe 
Maria  E 

U).  Fai 
tnehor  an( 

11.  It 
t*paKe  IM 
father  de 
cuuld  QOt 


Documents  from  the  Sulro  Collection. 


143 


is  not  known 
nd  is  good  ot 
•re  already  up 
nother  group 
i  of  the  first. 
,  some  larger 
They  occupy, 
ference.     We 
'ard  appear  to 
many  in  nutn- 
:  it  seemed  to 
n  the  middle 
to  a  short  dis- 
was  put  south 
could  not  see 
irections,  the 
ery  favorable 
1.     At  sunset 
nd  westward ; 
ed,  for  which 
ight  the  wind 
east  a  quartet 
id  in  order  to 
llowing. 

;r  cloudy  and 
was  made  to 
as  said  to  be 
ard  until  ten 
irse  was  east- 
ing the  sky 
non  the  navi- 
was   found 
:*oint  Pines, 
ing  the  after- 
he  westward; 
5S,  it  went  to 
le  afternoon 
le  Monterey, 
mother,  Our 


I  note  that,  during  che  whole  voyage,  there  has  been  no  misfor- 
tune on  board  of  the  vessel — blessed  be  God  !  There  is  lacking 
neither  mast  nor  yard,  nor  a  strand  from  the  rigging — although 
strong  winds  and  heavy  seas  have  been  met  with.'"  But  in  this 
ocean  it  is  a  circumstance  to  be  noted  that,  as  soon  as  the  wind  is 
cidmed,  the  sea  falls  and  is  at  rest ;  I  think  that  for  this  reason 
it  was  named  by  those  of  old  the  pacific  sea. 

I  note,  also,  that,  from  fifty-five  degrees  of  latitude,  the  alti- 
tude reached  by  us,  to  the  port  of  Monterey,  we  have  not  been 
able  to  learn  whether  or  not  there  are  harbors,  bights  or  other 
anchoring  grounds,  because  of  the  distance  we  have  kept  from 
the  coast  during  the  homeward  passage  and  on  account  of  the 
thick  weather  we  have  had  almost  every  day  during  the  voyage. 
Of  all  this  the  navigating  officers,  who  are  intelligent  and  skilled 
in  such  matters,  will  give  a  better  account. 

Finally:  I  note  that  1  have  written  this  diary  day  by  day  during 
the  voyage,  being  charged  to  do  so  by  the  Reverend  Father  Presi- 
dent ;  and,  that  I  might  accomplish  this,  the  Captain  has  done  me 
the  lavor  to  communicate  to  me,  almost  every  day,  the  latitude  in 
which  we  were,  while,  in  order  to  know  the  courses  sailed,  I  took 
care  to  observe  closely  the  needle  in  the  binnacle.  And,  for  th-e 
purpose  of  attestinjj  that  what  I  have  written  in  this  diary  is  the 
truth,  I  sign  it  at  this  Mission  of  San  Cdrlos  de  Monterey,  this 

28th  day  of  August,  1774." 

Fray  Tom  as  d«  i,a  PbSa. 

(a  rubrica. ) 


Document  No.  xg.    - 

pvIARIO  que  yo  Fray  Juan  Crespi  Misionero  del  Apostolico 
*-^  Colegio  de  Propaganda  fide  de  San  Fernando  de  Megico  formo 
del  viaje  de  la  fragata  de  su  Magestad  nombrada  Santiago,  alias 
la  Nueva  Galicia  mandada  por  su  capitan  y  alferez  de  fragata  Don 
Juan  Perez,  que  por  ordeu  del  Exini  Sw  Baylio  Frey  D.  Antonio 
Maria  Bucareli  y  Ursua  Virrey  de  la  Nueva  Kspafia  va  d  hacer  de 


10.  Father  de  la  Pu&a  appears  to  forgot  tbe  death  of  the  shlp'i-boy  aud  the  loM  of  the 
inelior  and  cable. 

11.  It  should  bo  remcm bored  that  Mr.  Baocroft'N  writer  aekBOWledgea  (in  a  foot-note 
ttpage  160,  Vol.  XXVII.,  History  of  thr.  nu'iflc  Statei)\.\\f-t    bis  frai?ineut  of  tl 
Katber  de  la  Pufla  bi'KiDs  wlUi  Augual 'Jth .'    Ho  duua  uoi  explalu  why 
cuuld  Qot  hvve  beeu  obtulnud  eutlru— aa  it  is  gtyeu  here. 


this   diary  of 
the  document 


144 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


las  costas  del  Norte  de  Monte-Rey,  que  se  halla  en  la  altura  de  36 
grados  y  medio  del  Norte,  hasta  los  60  grades  d  lo  menos. 

Hallandome  ocupado  de  Ministro  de  esta  Mision  de  San  Carlos 
de  Monte-Rey  y  habiendo  llegado  d  ella  en  11  de  Mayo  del  corri- 
ente  afio  de  vuelta  de  su  viaje  de  nuestro  colegio  y  ciudad  de 
Megico  el  Padre  Presidente  de  estas  nuevas  misiones  Fray  Junipero 
Serra,  nos  hizo  saber  que  dicho  Senor  Exelentisimo  de  acuerdo 
con  el  Reverendo  Padre  Guardian  de  dicho  nuestro  colegio  el 
Padre  lycctor  Fray  Rafael  Verger  habia  determinado  que  un  religi- 
oso  sacerdote  de  los  nuestros  fuese  de  capellan  de  la  dicha  expedi- 
cion  de  mar  con  el  encargo  de  observar  en  las  nuevas  tierras  que 
se  pasasen  las  alturas  del  polo,  de  demarcar  las  costas,  notar  los 
genios  de  los  gentiles  que  se  descubriesen  y  demas  circunstancias 
conducentes  k  un  pleno  conocimiento  de  aquellos  ignorados  paises 
y  formar  de  todo  un  exacto  diario.  Tambien  nos  declar6  como  el 
religioso  que  venia  destinado  al  tal  encargo  quedaba  enfermo  en  la 
mision  y  puerto  de  San  Diego  y  que  consiguientemente  se  le  bacia 
preciso  asignar  otro  y  este  fuf  yo  ;  y  no  obstante  de  hallarme  bien 
fatigado  con  tantos  viajes  por  tierra,  me  sacrifiqu6  d  ir  d  esta  em- 
presa  conformandome  con  la  obediencia  esperando  en  Dios  toda 
felicidad  en  el  viaje,  llevando  el  consuelo,  que  obtuvo  d  fuerza 
de  suplica  para  con  su  Exelencia  el  dicho  Padre  Presidente, 
de  ir  en  mi  compafiia  el  Padre  Prior  Fray  Tomas  de  Pena  y 
Saravia. 

Y  aunque  el  encargo  de  mi  Prelado  es  solo  de  observar  saltando 
d  tierra,  las  alturas,  reconocer  la  tierra  y  formar  una  relacion  de  lo 
que  en  ella  viese  ;  me  he  determinado  d  formar  diario  del  viaje  de 
mar,  si  me  lo  permite  el  tiempo  y  mareo,  que  me  es  indispensable 
en  la  navegacion,  notando  por  dias  lo  que  ocurriere. 

Dia  lunes  6  de  Junio  de  1774,  como  d  las  4  de  la  tarde  salimos 
de  la  mision  de  San  Carlos  de  Monte  Rey  acompanados  del  Rever- 
endo Padre  Presidente  y  habiendo  llegado  al  Real  Presidio  y 
despedidos  de  los  sei^ores  capitanes  y  de  los  Padrtjs  Murguia  y 
Paldu  que  alii  se  hallaban  confesando  la  tripulacion  para  el  viaje, 
pasamos  d  la  playa  en  donde  nos  despedimos  del  Reverendo  Padre 
Presidente  y  tomando  su  bendicJon  nos  ombarcamos  d  bordo  de  la 
dicha  fragata  en  donde  fuinioo  recibidos  con  alegria  de  todos  per- 
que  esperaban  de  nosotros  su  espiritual  consuelo.  Esta  noche 
estuvieron  en  la  maniobra  de  levar  las  r.nclas. 


altura  de  36 
nos. 

e  San  Carlos 
lyo  del  corn- 
y  ciudad  de 
^ray  Junipero 
)  de  acuerdo 

0  colegio  el 
jue  un  religi- 
licha  expedi- 
s  tierras  que 
tas,  notar  los 
ircunstancias 
orados  paises 
:lar6  como  el 
infermo  en  la 
te  se  le  hacia 
allarme  bien 
ir  d  esta  em- 
en  Dios  toda 
ivo  d  fuerza 

1  Presidente, 
5  de  Pefia  y 

•var  saltando 

elacion  de  lo 

del  viaje  de 

ndispensable 

irde  salimos 
s  del  Rever- 
Presidio  y 

Murguia  y 
)ara  el  viaje, 
rendo  Padre 

bordo  de  la 
e  todos  por- 

Esta  noche 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


X45 


Martes  7  prosigui6  la  maniobra  de  levar  las  anclas  y  con  una 
espia  por  delante  se  sac6  la  fragata  del  fondeadero  y  la  arrimaron 
al  yervasal  que  estd  cerca  de  la  punta  de  Pinos  de  este  puerto  como 
an  tiro  de  fusil  del  fondeadero.  Entr6  el  viento  N.  O.  y  d  las  1 1 
ya  estavamos  d  la  vela.  Bendito  sea  Dios  d  quien  pido  nos  de 
toda  felicidad.  Dieron  dos  6  tres  bordos  y  volvieron  d  fondear  en 
el  mismo  puerto  por  haber  refrescado  mucho  el  Norueste;  estando 
anclados  como  d  las  tres  de  la  tarde.  Esta  noche  cay6  gravemente 
enfermo  el  contramaestre  con  recia  calentura. 

Miercoles  8  amaneci6  con  el  mismo  viento  que  se  mantuvo  todo 
el  dia  por  cuyo  motivo  no  pudimos  salir  ;  poco  mas  de  la  una  de 
la  tarde  se  divis6  vela  y  fu6  el  Paquebot  San  Antonio,  alias  el 
Principe,  y  entr6  y  di6  fondo  en  este  Puerto  como  d  las  tres  de  la 
tarde,  por  cuyo  motivo  ya  nos  detuvimos  d  mas  que  el  viento  con- 
trario  no  nos  daba  lugar  d  salir. 

Jueves  9,  viendo  nosaliamos  al  viaje  por  las  dichas  causas  desem- 
barcamos  los  dos  Padres  y  fuimos  al  Real  en  donde  hallamos  al 
Reverendo  Padre  Presidente  con  los  Padres  Murguia  y  Palou  y 
despues  de  haber  estado  un  rato  nos  volvimos  d  comer  d  bordo  : 
esta  tarde  pidi6  el  Sefior  capitan  Don  Juan  Perez  que  el  dia 
siguiente  se  cantase  una  misa  -n  tierra  d  nuestra  senora  para  la 
felicidad  del  viaje. 

Viernes  10  formado  el  altar  bajo  de  una  enramada  en  el  mismo 
sitio  en  donde  se  celebr6  dia  27  de  Diciembre  de  1602  cuando  la 
espedicion  del  general  Don  Sebastian  Vizcaino  ;  y  el  dia  3  de 
Junio  de  1770  cuando  se  vino  d  poblar  este  puerto  que  cant6  la 
primera  misa  el  dicho  Reverendo  Padre  Presidente  la  cant6  tambien 
este  dia,  haciendo  coro  los  Padres  Fray  Joseph  Murguia  y  Fray 
Francisco  Dumetz  y  nosotros  dos  que  ibamos  d  este  nuevo  des- 
cdbrimiento.  Comiu.  os  todos  juntos  cerca  la  antigua  encina  que 
vi6  Sebastian  Vizcaino  y  despues  de  haber  comido  fuimos  d  bordo 
y  hal'^  ^os  que  habia  empeorado  el  contramaestre  d  quien  confes6 
mi  compaiiero  y  yo  le  administr^  los  santos  oleos  y  como  d  las 
cinco  poco  antes  muri6  ;  cuyo  cadaver  embi6  el  senor  capitan  al 
Real  presidio  para  que  se  le  diese  sepultura  eclesiastica. 

Sabado  1 1  amaneci6  en  calma  y  d  remolque  con  las  dos  lanchas 
de  la  fragata  y  el  Principe  nos  arrimamos  al  yerbasal  de  la  punta  y 
como  d  las  doce  nos  hicimos  d  la  vela  con  viento  O.  N.  no  muy 
fuerte  el  que  nos  calm6  por  la  tarde  y  asi  en  calma  pasamos  toda 
la  noche. 

Domingo  doce  amanecimos  con  calma  y  ambos  Padres  celebra- 
mos  el  santo  sacrificio  de  la  misa  y  empezamos  una  novena  al 

19 


146 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


Sefior  San  Antonio  de  Padua  pidiendo  su  patrocinio  para  la  felici- 
dad  del  viaje.  A  las  nueve  de  la  mafiana  nos  entr6  el  O.  el  que 
dur6  hasta  las  doce  que  vari6  al  Nornorueste  y  despues  al  Norueste 
bonancible  que  dur6  lo  mas  de  la  tarde  aunque  despues  calm6.  Al 
meterse  el  sol,  el  Sefior  Capitan  demarc6  la  punta  de  Afio  Nuevo 
que  nos  deraoraba  al  O.  N.  O.  como  unas  cuatro  6  cinco  leguas 
de  donde  estabaraos.  A  esta  hora  empezaron  algunas  ventolinas 
suaves  y  se  levant6  neblina. 

lyUnes  trece  amaneci6  con  mucha  neblina;  digimos  ambos  misa: 
calmaron  los  vientos  y  asi  nos  estuvimos  este  dia  y  su  noche  no 
muy  retirados  de  tierra,  aunque  por  la  neblina  no  se  divisaba  muy 
clara. 

Martes  catorce  amaneci6  muy  cerrado  de  neblina  aunque  en 
breve  abri6  y  nos  hallamos  d  una  vista  de  la  Punta  de  Afio  Nuevo, 
tuvimos  algunas  ventolinas  suaves  y  calmosas  y  estuvieron  bor- 
deando  entre  las  dos  puntas  de  Pinos  y  Afio  Nuevo. 

Miercoles  quince  amanecio  cerrado  de  neblina  aunque  abri6 
antes  de  las  siete  y  nos  hallamos  en  frente  de  la  punta  de  pinos, 
divisando  la  de  cipreses,  la  sierra  de  Santa  Lucia  y  la  ensenadadel 
rio  Carmelo.  Como  d  las  seis  de  la  tarde  nos  hallamos  como  cinco 
6  seis  leguas  apartados  de  la  sierra  de  Santa  Lucia  y  lo  mismo  de 
la  punta  de  afio  nuevo. 

Jueves  diez  y  seis  amaneci6  con  bastante  neblina  aunque  en 
breve  abri6  y  vimos  la  sierra  de  Santa  Lucia  ya .  como  diez  6  doce 
leguas  apartados.  Como  d  las  diez  nos  entr6  el  N.  N.  O.  algo 
fresco,  que  llegamos  d  andar  dos  y  media  millas  por  hora,  despues 
vari6  el  N.  O.  y  este  continu6  todo  el  dia,  y  por  la  tarde  apenas  se 
divisaba  la  tierra. 

Viernes  diez  y  siete  amaneci6  muy  claro  y  despejado  y  la  mar  en 
calma  hasta  la  una  de  la  tarde  que  se  movi6  el  S.  O  aunque  muy 
suave:  por  la  tarde  divisaron  la  sierra  de  Santa  Lucia  que  dijeron 
distariamos  de  ella  como  diez  y  seis  leguas  al  N.  E. :  por  la  noche 
viraron  de  bordo  con  el  Norueste. 

Sabado  diez  y  ocho  amaneci6  muy  cerrado  de  neblina  muy 
oscura  y  humeda  que  parecia  estar  lloviendo,  soplando  el  N.  0. 
fresco,  que  andavamos  como  cuatro  millas.  Esta  noche  se  vi6  el 
Sefior  Capitan  bien  malo  del  estomago  y  pas6  mala  noche  sin  poder 
sosegar,  pero  no  fu6  cosa  de  cuidado,  pues  d  las  doce  ya  estaba 
bueno  y  pudo  observar  y  dijo  nos  hallabamos  en  34  grados  y  cin- 
cuenta  y  siete  minutos  :  nl  medio  dia  nos  hallabamos  como  siete 
leguas  de  la  costa  de  la  sierra  de  Santa  Lucia ;  por  la  tarde  refrcsc6 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


147 


ra  la  felici- 
;1  O.  el  que 
al  Norueste 
calm6.  Al 
Ano  Nuevo 
:inco  leguas 
s  ventolinas 

ambos  misa; 
iU  noche  no 
ivisaba  muy 

aunque  en 
Alio  Nuevo, 
ii\ieron  bor- 

inque  abri6 
ita  de  pines, 
ensenada  del 
5  como  cinco 
lo  mismo  de 

aunque  en 
diez  6  doce 
.  N.  O.  algo 
ora,  despues 
de  apenas  se 

)  y  la  mar  en 
lunque  muy 
I  que  dijeron 
por  la  noche 

aeblina  muy 
do  el  N.  0. 
he  se  vi6  el 
:he  sin  poder 
e  ya  estaba 
rados  y  cin- 
3  como  siete 
;arde  refresc6 


mucho  el  N.  O. ,  embraveci6  mucho  la  mar  que  dur6  este  dia  y  el 
siguiente. 

Domingo  diez  y  nueve  amanecimos  con  el  mismo  viento  y  muy 
embravecida  la  mar,  de  manera  que  no  pudimos  celebrar;  apret6 
tanto  el  viento  que  d  las  ocho  quedamos  con  solo  el  trinquete,  por 
la  tarde  afloj6  algo  y  mas  d  la  entrada  de  la  noche. 

Lunes  veinte  amanecimos  con  el  mismo  viento  y  aunque  no  tan 
fuerte,  pero  caminabamos  cinco  millas  y  media  por  bora. 

Martes  veinte  y  uno  amaneci6  este  dia  muy  claro  y  despejado  el 
cielo ;  como  a  las  seis  de  la  mafiana  vari6  el  viento  al  N.  N.  E. 
suave  y  d  las  siete  de  la  manana  dijeron  andavamos  tres  millas  por 
hora.  Al  medio  dia  observ6  el  senor  capitan  y  nos  dijo  nos  halla- 
vamos  en  la  altura  de  34  grados  y  8  minutos  :  vari6  despues  el 
viento  al  N.  y  fu6  refrescando  por  la  tarde,  y  dijeron  andamos 
cuatro  millas  y  d  veces  mas,  y  este  mismo  viento  continu6  la  noche 
siguiente. 

Miercoles  veinte  y  dos  amaneci6  este  dia  con  viento  N.  aunque 
muy  suave  y  el  dia  claro  ;  como  d  las  siete  se  levant6  una  neblina 
muy  humeda  y  calm6  algo  el  viento,  aunque  no  fud  tanto  que  no 
anduviesimos  tres  millas  por  hora.  Este  medio  dia  me  dijo  el 
sefior  capitan  habia  observado  la  latitud  del  N.  de  34  grados  y  7 
minutos. 

Jueves  veinte  y  tres  amaneci6  muy  cerrado  de  neblina  se  mud6 
el  viento  al  N.  E.  aunque  despues  vari6  al  N.  suave  y  dijeron 
andavamos  tres  millas  por  hora,  al  medio  dia  observaron  los 
sefiores,  y  me  dijo  el  seiior  capitan  que  nos  hallavamos  en  33  gra- 
dos y  46  minutos. 

Viernes  veinte  y  cuatro,  celebramos  ambos  misa  y  en  la  primera 
comulgaron  el  Seiior  Capitan,  el  contra-maestre  y  otros  dos  Juanes 
de  los  marineros  :  amaneci6  el  dia  nublado,  y  con  el  viento  N. 
N.  E.  fresco  caminabamos  tres  millas  con  la  proa  al  N.  O.  \  al  N. 
Al  medio  dia  observaron  y  dijo  el  sefior  capitan  que  nos  hallaba- 
mos  en  33  grados  y  46  minutos. 

Sabado  veinte  y  cinco  amaneci6  claro  el  dia  y  con  el  viento  N. 
E.  que  tuvimos  la  noche  pasada  y  continua  bastante  fresco,  cami- 
nando  con  la  proa  al  N.  O.  lo  que  en  todo  viaje  no  se  habia 
logrado.  Al  medio  dia  me  dijo  el  seiior  capitan  que  segun  la 
observacion  que  habia  hecho  nos  hallabamos  en  34  grados  y  26 
minutos  ;  gracias  d  Dios  que  ya  vamos  cobrando  la  altura  perdida: 
por  la  tarde  refresc6  mas  el  viento  y  andavamos  como  cinco  millas. 

Domingo  veinte  y  seis  amaneci6  el  dia  claro  con  el  viento  E. 
fresco  que  nos  habia  entrado  la  noche  pasada  cuando  sali6  la  luna, 


148 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


con  la  proa  al  N.  O.  como  ayer  :  pudimos  ambos  celebrar,  y 
hacerles  una  platica  el  Padre  compafiero  en  su  misa.  Al  medio 
dia  observaron  los  seiiores  y  me  dijo  el  senor  capitan  nos  hallava- 
mos  en  34  grados  y  37  minutos.  Como  d  las  cinco  de  la  tarde 
empez6  d  calmar  el  viento  de  modo  que  al  anocliecer  estavamos  en 
calma  y  asi  pasamos  la  noche. 

Lnnes  veinte  y  siete  amaneci6  el  dia  algo  nublado  y  con  la 
mi^ma  calma  de  la  noche  antecedente  :  como  d  las  seis  entraron 
veatolifias  aunque  suaves  que  andavamos  poco  mas  de  milla.  Al 
medio  dia  nos  dijo  el  sefior  capitan  que  habia  observado  35  grados 
y  59  minutos  ;  sigui6  la  calma  hasta  la  noche  que  al  salir  la  luna 
nos  entr6  el  N.  E. 

Martes  veinte  y  ocho  amaneci6  el  dia  claro  siguiendo  el  mismo 
viento  N,  E.  que  fu6  poco  d  poco  refrescando  y  d  las  nueve  de  la 
manana  andavamos  como  cuatro  millas.  Al  medio  dia  observ6  el 
seiior  capitan  36  grados  y  26  minutos  y  asi  nos  hallamos  enfrente 
de  la  sierra  de  Santa  Lucia  y  muy  al  paralelo  de  Monte-Rey  con 
la  diferencia  de  cuatro  minutos  menos,  aunque  enmarados  segun 
dicen  los  senores  como  doscientas  leguas. 

Miercoles  veinte  y  nueve  amaneci6  el  dia  claro  con  el  mismo 
viento  fresco  N.  E.  celebramos  ambos  Padres  y  en  una  de  las 
misas  comulg6  el  cirujano  celebrando  el  dia  de  su  santo.  Al  medio 
dia  observ6  el  setior  capitan  y  nos  dijo  nos  hallavamos  en  37  gradob 
y  20  minutos. 

Jueves  treinta  amaneci6  el  dia  claro  aunque  en  breve  se  nublo 
con  viento  fresco  E.  S.  que  andavamos  como  tres  millas.  Al 
medio  dia  observ6  el  setior  capitan  y  nos  dijo  nos  hallavamos  en 
38  grados  y  35  minutos. 

Julio  :  Viernes  primero  de  Julio  amaneci6  el  dia  algo  nublado 
y  siguiendo  el  mismo  viento  que  toda  la  noche  E.  S.  y  d  ratos  iba 
refrescando  mas.  Al  medio  dia  nos  dijo  el  seiior  capitan  que  segun 
su  observacion  nos  hallavamos  en  39  grados  y  43  minutos  ;  como  i 
las  cinco  de  la  tarde  calm6  el  viento  y  dur6  la  calma  toda  la 
noche. 

Sabado  dos  amanecio  el  dia  cerrado  y  en  calma  que  dur6  todo  el 
dia.  Al  medio  dia  observaron  los  senores  pilotos  y  nos  dijeron  no 
llegavamos  d  los  40  grados. 

Domingo  tres  de  Julio  amaneci6  el  dia  muy  cerrado  de  neblina 
con  el  viento  E.  S.  tan  flojo  que  apenas  se  andaba.  Digimos 
I  mbos  misa  y  en  una  comulgaron  el  2*^  piloto  D.  Esteban  Martinez 
y  dos  marineros  :  como  d  las  diez  refrescd  algo  el  dicho  viento  y 
como  d  las  QUce  se  andaban  dos  millas  y  media.    Al  medio  dia 


I. 

•s    celebrar,  y 

I.     Al   medio 

nos  hallava- 

de  la  tarde 

estavamos  en 

ido  y  con  la 
seis  entraron 
de  milla.  Al 
ido  35  grades 
1  salir  la  luna 

ido  el  mismo 
nueve  de  la 
lia  observ6el 
imos  enfrente 
onte-Rey  con 
arados  segun 

>n  el  mismo  I 
una  de  las 
to.    Al  medio 
3  eo  37  gradob  I 

eve  se  nublo 
>  millas.  Al 
illavamos  en 

algo  nublado 
y  &  ratos  iba 
an  que  segun 
utos ;  como  i 
Ima  toda  la 

dur6  todo  el 
)S  dijeron  no 

3  de  neblina 
la.  Digimos 
>an  Martinez 
ho  viento  y 
J  medio  dia 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


149 


observ6  el  setior  capitan  la  altura  del  N.  en  40  grados  y  34  raiu- 
utos.     Esta  tarde  vari6  el  viento  al  S.  E.  bien  y  en  popa. 

Lunes  cuatro  amaneci6  el  dia  muy  cerrado  con  el  mismo  viento 
S.  E.  bastante  fresco  con  el  que  andavaraos  tres  millas  y  algunas 
veces  cuatro  por  bora  ;  se  cerr6  bastante  el  dia  y  tuvinios  alguuos 
chuvascos  con  algunas  rociaditas  de  agua  aunque  cotitinuo  el 
viento,  y  por  estar  el  dia  cerrado  no  se  pudo  observar. 

Martes  cinco  amaneci6  el  dia  muy  c?aro  y  con  el  mismo  viento 
de  ayer  que  se  ha  conservado  toda  la  noche.  Al  medio  dia  observo 
el  senor  capitan  la  altura  del  Norte  segun  nos  dijo  de  43  grados  y 
35  minutos.  Al  medio  dia  vari6  el  viento  al  S.  O.  pero  en  breve 
volvi6  &.  soplar  al  S.  E.  el  que  dur6  toda  la  tarde  y  noche. 

Miercoles  seis  amaneci6  con  bastante  neblina  y  con  el  mismo 
viento  S.  E.  con  el  que  andavamos  tres  millas.  Al  medio  dia  no 
pudieron  observar  por  la  mucha  neblina  que  no  dejo  descubrirse  el 
sol :  como  d  la  una  de  la  tarde  vari6  el  viento  al  S.  O.  algo  fresco 
que  andavamos  tres  millas,  pero  calm6  como  d  las  cinco  de  la  tarde 
y  quedamos  casi  en  calma  y  de  la  misma  manera  pasamos  la 
noche. 

Jueves  siete  amanecimos  en  calma  con  el  viento  O.  S.  O.  y  con 
bastante  neblina  que  tuvo  tapadoslos  orizontes,  hasta  pasado  medio 
dia,  por  cuyo  motivo  no  se  pudo  hoy  observar  :  por  la  tarde  nos 
entr6  veutolina  calmosa,  tambien  del  N.  que  nos  duro  la  restante 
del  dia  y  noche. 

Viernes  ocho  amaneci6  con  la  misma  ventoHna  calmosa  del 
Norfe  y  neblina  que  dur6  todo  el  dia  y  noche  siguiente.  Al  medio 
dia  aL>ri6  lo  suficiente  para  observar  y  nos  dijo  el  seiior  capitan  que 
nos  hsllabamos  en  44  grados  y  5  minutos. 

Sabado  nueve  nos  hallamos  con  igual  neblina  y  calma,  con  ven- 
tolina  Uovisnosa  del  S.  E. :  antes  de  medio  dia  se  descubri6  el  sol 
y  orizontes  y  logr6  el  seiior  capitan  una  observacion  d  su  satisfac- 
cion,  lo  que  no  en  los  cinco  dias  antecedentes  no  habia  podido,  y 
aos  dijo  nos  hallavamos  en  45  grados  cabales. 

Domingo  diez  amanecio  con  mucha  neblina  con  ventoliua  calm- 
osa del  S.  E.  celebramos  los  dos  Padres  el  santo  sacrificio  de  la 
raisa,  como  tambien  les  pudo  hacer  una  platica  el  Padre  compan- 
ero  en  su  misa  :  como  d  las  nueve  abri6  el  tiempo  y  se  descubrio 
el  sol  y  empez6  d  refrescar  el  viento  S.  E.  que  era  en  popa,  d  las 
once  andavamos  como  dos  millas.  Al  medio  dia  observo  el  seiior 
capitan  y  nos  dijo  nos  hallavamos  en  45  grados  y  35  minutos;  dur6 
el  S.  E.  todo  el  dia  y  por  la  noche  vario  al  Sur  tambien  fresco. 
Se  administr6  esta  noche  los  santos  sacramentos  de  la  peniteucia 


iSO 


Historical  Society  oj  Southern  California. 


y  extremauncion  i  un  marinero  que  se  halla  muy  malo  de  calen 
tura  maligna. 

lyunes  once  amaneci6  con  el  mismo  viento  sur  y  cerrado  de 
espesa  neblina  ;  abrl6  algo  antes  de  medio  dia  y  pudo  el  senor 
capitan  observar  y  nos  dijo  nos  hallavamos  en  la  altura  de  46  gra 
dos  y  23  minutos,  refresc6  mas  el  viento  y  &  las  tres  de  la  tarde 
andavamos  tres  millas  y  d  otras  lioras  mas  ;  esta  tarde  se  ha  sen 
tido  bien  el  frio  y  por  la  noclie  apur6  mas  por  la  Uovisna  que 
despedia  la  neblina  que  parecia  nieve. 

Martes  doce  amanecimos  con  la  misma  neblina  y  mucho  frio, 
cerca  de  las  cinco  de  la  manana  se  mud6  el  viento  al  O.  S.  0. 
fresco,  que  andavamos  tres  millas  y  d  las  diez  se  mud6  al  O.  bas- 
tante  fuerte  y  frio  ;  todo  el  dia  estuvo  muy  cerrado  por  lo  que  no 
se  pudo  observar  ;  como  &  las  tres  de  la  tarde  aclar6  algo  y  por  la 
noche  no  estuvo  el  tiempo  tan  cerrado. 

Miercoles  trece  amanecimos  con  el  dia  bien  claro  y  con  el  viento 
N.  O.  i  al  O.  bastante  fuerte  con  el  que  andavamos  tres  millas. 
A  las  siete  de  la  maiiana  se  cerr6  de  mucho  nublado  y  d  las  diez 
volvi6  abrir  y  se  despejaron  los  orizontes  y  pudo  el  seiior  capitan 
observar  d  toda  su  satisfaccion  y  nos  dijo  que  nos  hallavamos  en 
la  altura  de  48  grades  y  55  minutos  :  por  la  tarde  aflcj6  algo  el 
viento  aunque  andavamos  dos  millas  y  media. 

Jueves  catorce  amaneci6  con  mucha  neblina  y  llovisnando  que 
de  la  misma  manera  se  habia  pasado  la  noche  ;  d  las  cinco  soplaba 
bien  {fuerte  el  O.  que  andavamos  cuatro  millas  y  media.  A  las 
siete  y  media  de  la  manana  vimos  el  arco  iris  al  O.  y  nos  entr6 
un  chubasco  bastante  fuerte  que  caus6  mucha  marejada  y  oblig6  d 
tomar  rizos  del  belacho  de  gabia  y  pasado  el  chubasco  se  deshizo 
el  arco  iris  y  continu6  el  mismo  viento  fresco:  poco  antes  de  las 
doce  se  despej6  el  cielo  y  quedaron  claros  los  orizontes  con  que  se 
pudo  observar  y  nos  dijo  el  senor  capitan  nos  hallavamos  en  la 
altura  de  50  grados  y  24  minutos:  d  las  nueve  de  la  manana  mando 
el  seiior  capitan  poner  la  proa  al  N.  y  nos  dijo  que  habia  virado 
para  ir  d  caer  d  la  costa  y  nos  dijo  el  senor  capitan  que  lo  hizo 
porque  habiendo  registrado  la  aguada  reconocid  no  habia  mas 
agua  que  para  dos  meses  y  medio  lo  mas,  y  que  por  lo  que  podia 
suceder  queria  hacer  la  diligencia  de  registrar  la  costa  y  ver  si 
podria  hacer  aguada  por  no  saber  cuanto  podria  tarda  para  la 
buelta  d  Monte- Rey  :  d  las  tres  de  la  tavde  se  alargo  mas  el  viento 
hasta  el  S.  E.  bien  fresco  que  andavamos  cuatro  millas  y  media 
con  la  proa  al  Norte. 


Documenti  from  the  Sutro  Colifction. 


m 


\o  de  calen- 

•  cerrado  de 
ido  el  senor 
ra  de  46  gra 
de  la  tarde 
i  se  ha  sen- 
llovisna  que 

niucho  frio, 

al  O.  S.  0. 

6  al  O.  bas- 

\r  lo  que  no 

ilgo  y  por  la 

con  el  viento 
tres  millas. 
f  d  las  diez 
eiior  capitan 
llavamos  en 
flcj6  algo  el 

isnando  que 

inco  soplaba 

;dia.     A  las 

y  nos  entr6 

a  y  oblig6  d 

»  se  deshizo 

intes  de  las 

con  que  se 

amos  en  la 

lana  mando 

abia  virado 

ue   lo   hizo 

habia   mas 

que  podia 

ta  y  ver  si 

da  para  la 

s  el  viento 

is  y  media 


Viernes  quince  amaneci6  con  la  misnia  neblina  espesa  y  humeda, 
con  una  llovisna  fria  como  los  dias  antecedente; ,  con  viento  sur 
bien  fresco  y  con  niucha  tnarejada  que  nos  balanceaba  bastante  : 
toda  esta  mafiana  andavamos  cuatro  millas  y  d  veces  mas  por  hora 
con  la  proa  al  N. ;  se  esplica  denmsiadamente  el  frio  :  d  las  ocho 
cambi6  el  viento  al  S.  O.  bastante  fresco,  y  con  ^'1  viraron  poniendo 
la  proa  al  N.  para  ir  d  caer  d  la  costa.  Fu6  aclarando  el  dia  y 
despeiandose  los  orizontes  con  que  se  logr6  la  observacion  y  nos 
dijo  el  seiior  capitan  que  nos  hallavamos  en  la  altura  de  51  grados 
y  42  minutos. 

Este  dia  el  sefior  capitan  junt6  los  oficiales  de  la  fragata  y  les 
propuso  el  estado  de  la  aguada  y  el  peligro  d  que  se  esponian  de 
pasar  mas  arriba  sin  liacer  aguada,  que  si  les  parecia  arrimarse  d 
la  costa  vara  registrar  fondeadero  y  hacer  aguada,  6  si  les  parecia 
que  siguiesen  hasta  la  altura  de  los  60  grados  como  encargaba  su 
excelencia  y  que  en  dicha  altura  se  haria  la  diligencia  de  agua. 
Oid'^  la  propuesta  del  seiior  capitan  fueron  todos  de  parecer  que 
conven;  i  recalar  d  tierra  para  prevenirse  de  agua  y  reconocer  fon- 
deadero 6  parage  para  arribar  en  caso  necesario.  Visto  el  parecer 
de  los  oficiales  sigui6  en  busca  de  la  costa. 

Sabado  diez  y  seis  de  Julio  amaneci6  el  dia  nublado  aunque  sin 
neblina  y  con  el  viento  en  popa  S.  O.  que  hemos  tenido  toda  la 
noche  pasada  y  ^  *  vI."«<do  hasta  las  nueve  del  dia  que  se  cambi6  al 
S.,  con  que  andavamos  txtv:  millas  d  la  bolina  ;  d  dicha  hora 
empez6  d  aclarar  y  tuvimos  un  buen  sol  con  que  pudieron  los 
seiiores  observar  y  nos  dijo  el  sei  or  capitan  que  nos  hallavamos  en 
52  grados  y  41  minutos:  d  las  cu  itro  de  la  tarde  volvi6  d  cambiarse 
el  viento  fresco  al  S.  O.  y  caminavamos  con  viento  en  popa  lo 
mismo  que  por  la  mafiana.  L,os  carpinteros  hicieron  hoy  una  cruz 
de  como  cinco  varas  de  alto  con  el  rotulo  de  arriba  I.  N.  R.  I.  y 
en  el  cuerpo  de  la  cruz  desde  los  pies  para  los  brazos,  Carolus 
tertius  :  Rex  Hispaniarum  :  y  en  los  brazos  de  ella,  afio  1774,  con 
el  fin  de  en  cuanto  saltar  en  tierra  que  todavia  no  hemos  descub- 
ierto  fijarla. 

Domingo  17  de  Julio  amaneci6  nublado  con  alguna  neblina 
y  casi  en  calma  con  el  viento  S.  O.  que  por  la  noche  afloj6  : 
digimos  ambos  misa,  y  en  la  suya  hizo  la  platica  el  Padre  com- 
pafiero,  como  todos  los  domir  jos  que  ha  dado  lugar  el  tiempo  se 
ha  hecho :  aunque  tuvimos  esta  mafiana  alguna  neblina  y  un 
aguacerito  corto  pero  despues  aclar6  y  se  logr6  el  poder  observar 
y  nos  dijo  el  sefior  capitan  que  nos  hallavamos  en  53  grados  y  13 
minutos.     En  estas  alturas  se  nos  pone  el  sol  en  estos  dias  d  las 


152 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


ocho  de  la  noclie  y  sale  como  d  las  cuatro  de  la  mafiana,  de  tal 
raanera  que  d  las  nueve  de  la  noche  todavia  hay  claridad,  y  poi  la 
mafiana  corao  d  las  tres  ya  empieza  d  aclarar  ;  y  si  hubieramos 
llegado  un  ines  antes  segun  dicen  habriamos  visto  ponerse  el  sol  d 
las  nueve. 

lyUnes  diez  y  ocho  de  Julio  amaneci6  el  dia  muy  cerrado  de 
neblina  y  llovisna  y  d  las  cinco  de  la  mafiana  vino  un  chubasco 
con  ventolinas  del  S.  y  S.  E.  que  poco  se  andaba  :  como  L  las 
once  y  media  dijeron  se  descubria  tierra  y  asi  fu6  que  empezamos 
d  ver  la  costa  y  la  mas  cerca  la  teniamos  d  la  proa  hacia  el  N.  E. 
como  d  diez  y  seis  leguas  de  distancia  y  al  N.  O.  \  al  N.  parecia 
que  remataba,  pero  por  lo  muy  ahumado  y  muy  retirado,  que  d  lo 
raenos  estaria  vCiiite  y  cinco  leguas  no  se  percibia  bien.  Por  el  N. 
parecia  ser  tierra  baja  y  al  contrario  por  el  N.  E.  se  dejaba  ver 
muy  alta  y  un  mogote  en  ella  todo  nevado  :  aunque  algo  abri6  el 
dia  con  que  pudimos  ver  la  tierra,  pero  no  se  dej&  ver  el  sol  para 
poder  observar  :  como  d  las  cuatro  de  la  tarde  cambi6  el  viento  al 
O.  S.  O.  y  con  el  se  andaban  dos  millas  y  media;  y  poco  despues 
de  las  cir?co  se  cambi6  otra  vez  al  N.  O.  muy  suave,  al  principle 
algo  se  '  adaba  con  61,  pero  por  la  noche  calm6  totalmente. 

Martes  diez  y  nueve  aman^ci6  el  dia  nublado  pero  con  los  oriz- 
ontes  claros,  con  que  se  divisaba  bien  la  tierra  distante  de  siete  k 
ocho  leguas,  pero  nos  hallamos  con  la  misma  calma  que  heraos 
tenido  toda  la  noche.  Vimos  bien  la  costa  y  d  todos  nos  pareci6 
que  la  que  teniamos  d  la  vista  corre  del  N.  N.  O.  al  S.  S.  E.  y 
que  remataba  su  curso  al  N.  N.  E.  en  donde  hace  un  cabo  y  desde 
alii  parece  que  tuerce  al  mismo  N.  N.  E.  6  hasta  el  N.  E.  Antes 
de  las  siete  se  cerr6  el  dia  de  tal  neblina  que  apenas  se  veia  la 
costa  y  prosiguiendo  la  calma  :  d  las  once  se  nos  cambi6  el  viento 
al  S.  E.  del  segundo  cuadrante  algo  fresco  y  empezamos  fi  andar 
hacia  el  cabo  de  la  costa  que  habiamos  visto  por  la  mafiana  d  fin 
de  ver  el  curso  de  la  costa  del  otro  lado  de  la  costa  hacia  el  N. ; 
cerca  de  las  once  se  descubri6  el  sol  y  se  dej6  ver  bien  d  las  do'^e, 
con  esto  pudieron  los  sefiores  observar  y  segun  nos  dijo  el  srfi'^r 
capitan  nos  hallamos  en  53  grados  y  58  minutos :  por  la  tarde 
refresc6  mas  el  viento  y  como  d  las  cinco  estabamos  ya  como  tres 
leg^^as  de  la  costa  y  vimos  que  despues  del  cabo  que  habiamos 
visto  seguia  la  costa  baja  hacia  el  N. :  como  era  tarde  viraron  de 
bordo  para  apartarnos  algo  de  la  costa  poniendo  la  proa  al  N.  y  d 
las  seis  nos  pusimos  d  la  capa,  en  la  que  hemos  estado  toda  esta 
noche  con  una  gran  marejada  y  con  una  continua  llovisna. 


Documents  from  the  Sutra  Collection. 


153 


nana,  de  tal 

dad,  y  poi  la 

hubieramos 

lerse  el  sol  d 

T  cerrado  de 
un  chubasco 
:  como  L  las 
B  empezamos 
cia  el  N.  E. 
al  N.  parecia 
ado,  que  i.  lo 
n.  Por  el  N. 
>e  dejaba  ver 
algo  abri6  el 
r  el  sol  para 
>  el  viento  al 
poco  despues 
,  al  principle 
lente. 

con  los  oriz- 

nte  de  siete  d 

a  que  hemos 

nos  pareci6 

al  S.  S.  E.  y 

I  cabo  y  desde 

:^.  E.    Antes 

se  veia  la 

)i6  el  viento 

imos  k  andar 

lafiana  i.  fin 

lacia  el  N.; 

d  las  do"  e, 

ijo  el  s?f)'^r 

por  la  tarda 

ya  como  tres 

ae  habiamos 

viraron  de 

aa  al  N.  y  d 

do  toda  esta 

visna. 


Miercoles  veinte  de  Julio  amaneci6  el  dia  muy  cerrado  de 
neblina  que  &  muj'  corta  distancia  uada  se  veia  y  llovisnando  con 
viento  E.  bastante  fuerte  y  con  mucha  marejada  con  un  continuo 
balance  :  soltaron  las  velas  y  la  proa  al  N.  ^  al  N.  E.  :  antes  de 
las  nueve  abrio  algo  el  dia  y  se  vi6  bien  la  tierra,  viraron  de  bordo 
y  se  puso  la  proa  al  N.  E.  para  hacer  la  diligencia  de  arrimarnos 
d  una  punta  de  tierra  :  d  las  diez  estavamos  como  cuatro  leguas  de 
dicha  punta  que  d  todos  nos  parecieron  tres  islas  :  al  medio  dia  no 
se  pudo  observar  por  estar  nublado  y  tapado  el  sol  :  como  d  las 
tres  de  la  tarde  estavamos  como  dos  leguas  de  tierra  y  la  que  antes 
nos  habia  parecido  ser  tres  islas  ya  parecia  una  y  no  muy  apartada 
de  la  costa  :  vimos  muchas  humaredas  de  los  habitantes  en  ella  y 
que  era  tierra  muy  poblada  de  arboleda  que  parecian  pinos  y  que 
con  la  dicha  punta  formaba  la  tierra  una  buena  ensenada  6  baia. 

Y  reparamos  que  de  una  bocana  que  formaba  la  tierra  salia  una 
canoa  que  d  fuerza  de  remo  venia  para  la  fragata  ;  de  bien  aparta- 
dos  del  barco  los  oiamos  cantar  y  en  el  tono  conocimos  ser  gentiles, 
pues  es  el  mismo  que  usan  en  sus  mitoles  los  gentiles  desde  San 
Diego  d  Monte-Rey  :  llegaron  ya  cerca  de  la  fragata  y  vimos  eran 
ocho  hombres  y  un  muchacho  los  siete  remando,  el  otto  que  venia 
algo  envijado  parado  y  con  ademanes  de  bailar,  y  tirando  d  la  mar 
varias  plumas  dieron  una  vuelta  d  la  fragata  :  desde  el  balcon  de 
la  camara  los  liamamos  que  se  arrimasen  y  aunque  al  principio  no 
se  atrevian  por  algun  recelo  que  tendrian  enseiiandoles  panuelos, 
avalorios  y  galleta  se  arrimaron  d  la  popa  y  recibieron  todo  lo  que 
se  les  tir6  ;  les  hecharon  un  mecate  para  que  subiesen  y  aunque  se 
agarraron  de  ^1  no  se  atrevieron  d  subir  pero  asidos  de  ^1  nos  sigui- 
eron  bastante  trecho. 

Cuando  dicba  canoa  lleg6  al  barco  ya  eran  como  las  cuatro  de 
la  tarde  y  se  habia  cerrado  de  espesa  neblina  y  viento  contrario, 
por  estos  motivos  habia  mandado  el  sefior  capitan  virar  de  bordo 
reservando  el  arrimarnos  mas  d  la  tierra  y  desembarcar  para  el  dia 
siguiente,  y  viendo  los  gentiles  que  nos  apartavamos  de  su  tierra 
nos  convidaban  con  ella  y  conocimos  6  entendimos  por  sefias  que 
nos  decian  que  alii  tenian  que  comer  y  mucha  agua  y  lugar  para 
estar  el  barco,  y  respondiendoles  por  seiias  que  el  dia  siguiente 
iriamos  se  fueron. 

Estos  gentiles  son  corpulentos  y  gordos  de  buen  semblante  y  de 
color  bianco  y  vermejo,  con  pelo  largo  y  cubiertos  con  cueros  de 
nutria  y  de  lobos  marinos  segun  nos  parecia  y  todos  6  lo  mas  con 
sus  sombreros  de  junco  bien  tejido,  con  la  copa  punteaguda  :  no 


14 


t34 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California, 


son  nada  boruquientos  y  d  todos  nos  parecieron  ser  mansos  y  de 
buena  indole. 

Corao  d  la  media  hora  de  haberse  apartado  de  nosotros  diclia 
canoa,  oimos  otra  vez  cantar  y  viraos  venir  otra  canoa  mas  chica  y 
juntandose  con  la  primera  se  arrimaron  las  dos  d  la  fragata  :  en 
esta  segunda  venian  seis  gentiles,  arrimandose  ambas  d  la  popa  ic 
les  regalaron  varias  cositas  y  diciendoles  que  el  dia  siguiente 
iriamos  d  su  tierra  se  fueron  todos  contentos  despues  de  habernos 
seguido  bastante  trecho. 

Nos  par':^ieron  dichas  canoas  todas  de  una  pieza  salvo  la  borda 
de  arriba,  bien  labradas  con  sus  quillas  fornnadas  casi  de  la  misma 
manera  que  las  que  usan  en  la  canal  de  Santa  Barbara,  salvo  que 
estas  tienen  su  popa  y  la  proa  no  la  tienen  abierta  como  las  de  la 
canal  y  usan  sus  reraos  bien  labrados  :  vimos  en  estas  canoas  dos 
fisgas  bien  largas  para  pescar  y  dos  achas  ;  la  una  de  ellos  por  lo 
reluciente  de  la  punta  nos  pareci6  seria  de  fierro  aunque  no  me 
pude  cerciorar  de  ello.  La  punta  de  una  de  las  fisgas,  si  vimos  era 
de  fierro,  y  nos  parecia  como  un  chuso. 

Despues  de  idas  dichas  dos  canoas  siendo  ya  entrada  la  noche, 
estando  todos  resando  la  corona  d  nuestra  senora  la  purisima  con- 
cepcion  oimos  otta  vez  cantar  y  fu^  otra  canoa  que  se  arrini6  con 
las  mismas  ceremonias  que  las  antecedentes,  y  reparando  ellos  que 
no  se  les  hacia  caso,  d  causa  de  estar  en  el  rezo,  empezaron  d  gritar 
y  continuaron  voceando  hasta  tanto  que  se  concluy6  el  rezo  cuoti- 
ano  de  corona  y  rezos  particulares  d  algunos  santos,  y  cantado  el 
alabado  que  les  caus6  bastante  adrairacion  concluido  el  rezo  por 
estar  ya  oscuro  mando  el  setior  capitan  sacar  luces  d  la  borda  de  la 
fragata  y  vimos  arrimada  otra  canoa  con  siete  gentiles,  se  les  con- 
vid6  d  que  subiesen  d  bordo  pero  ellos  6  no  lo  quisieron  6  no  enten- 
dieron  las  senas  con  que  se  les  hablaba  se  les  regalo  algunas 
cositas  y  ellos  correspondieron  con  algo  de  pescado  seco  que 
parecia  bacalao  aunque  mas  bianco.  Uu  marinero  consigui6  por 
un  beldoque  que  los  di6,  un  sombrero  de  junco  bien  tejido  y  de 
varios  colores,  la  hechura  de  la  copa  piramidat  de  como  una 
torcia  de  alto  y  las  alas  del  sombrero  no  pasaban  de  sesma  de 
ancho  :  otro  marinero  por  otro  belduque  les  compr6  un  pedaoito  de 
como  una  vara  en  madro  bien  vistoso  tejido  de  palma  fina,  al  pare- 
cer,  de  colores  bianco  y  negro,  que  tejido  en  cuadritos  hace  muy  bu- 
ena y  vistosa  labor.  Esta  canoa  estuvo  arrimada  como  una  hora,  y 
diciendoles  por  senas  que  se  iuesen  por  ser  ya  muy  noche,  y  que 
el  dia  siguiente  iriamos  d  su  tierra  se  fueron  contentos  y  tenian 
que  desandar  como  seis  leguas  pues  tanto  distariamos  ya  de  la 
tierra. 


i«. 


Doaimcnts  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


155 


insos  y  de 

iotros  diclia 
mas  chica  y 
fragata  :  en 
\.  la  popa  le 
a  siguiente 
le  habernos 

vo  la  borda 
ie  la  misma 
I,  salvo  que 
10  las  de  la 
canoas  dos 
pIIos  por  lo 
que  no  me 
si  vimos  era 

a  la   noche, 
urisima  con- 
arrim6  con 
ido  ellos  que 
iron  k  gritar 
1  rezo  cuoti- 
y  cantado  el 
el  rezo  por 
I  borda  de  la 
,  se  les  con- 
1 6  no  enten- 
al6  algunas 
io  seco  que 
onsigui6  por 
tejido  y  de 
como  una 
e  sesma  de 
1  pedaoito  de 
fina,  al  pare- 
lace  muy  bu- 
)  una  hora,  y 
oche,  y  que 
OS  y  tenian 
)S  ya  de  la 


Jueves  veinte  y  uuo  de  Julio  amaneci6  no  tan  cerrado  de  neblina 
como  los  antecedentes  aunque  llovisnando  y  soplando  el  sueste 
fuerte  con  una  buena  marejada  :  d  las  ocho  de  la  manana  viraron 
de  bordo  poniendo  la  proa  para  la  punta  que  ayer  vimos  y  que  se 
nombr6  por  el  seilor  capitan  la  punta  de  Santa  Margarita  por 
haberse  divisado  ayer  dia  de  la  gloriosa  santa  :  caniinamos  a  la 
bolina  con  la  proa  al  E.  \  al  N.  E.  Como  d  las  doce  (que  no  se 
pudo  observar  por  estar  el  sol  tapado  con  nublados)  estavamos  como 
un  cuarto  de  legua  cerca  la  punta  de  Santa  Margarita  la  que 
fuimos  cOvSteando  hacia  el  E.  S.  E.  en  donde  nos  parecia  hacer 
recodo,  con  el  fin  de  registrar  y  sondear  para  dar  fondo  y  saltar  d 
tierra  y  plantar  en  ella  el  estandarte  de  la  santa  cruz  ;  pero  no  fud 
posible  montar  dicha  punta  ni  cerciorarnos  si  era  isla  6  punta  de 
la  tierra  firme  por  la  fuerza  de  las  corricutes  que  nos  recliazaban 
al  S.  por  cuyo  motivo  mando  el  seiior  capitan  virar  de  bordo,  y 
hallandonos  ya  apartados  de  la  tierra  como  una  legua  hacia  el  S. 
0.  se  calm6  el  viento  que  toda  la  manana  se  habia  mantenido  y 
habia  causado  grande  marejada,  asi  nos  mantuvimos  en  calma  sin 
poder  dar  fondo  porque  no  lo  habia  por  lo  apartado  que  nos  halla- 
vamos. 

La  punta  dicha  Santa  Margarita  es  una  loma  medianamente 
alta  y  tajada  d  la  mar  muy  poblada  de  arboleda  hasta  pegada  d  la 
mar  de  arboles  que  nos  parecieron  d  todos  cipreses  de  todos  tania- 
iios.  Tiene  dicha  loma  como  una  legua  de  largo  liaciendo  dos 
puntas  la  una  al  .S.  O.  \  al  S.  en  donde  intentamos  fondear  y  no 
se  encontr6  fondo,  como  media  legua  poco  mas  6  menos  apartada 
de  ella,  y  al  E.  S.  E.  de  dicha  loma  d  donde  ibamos  costeando 
por  hacer  en  esta  punta  un  recodo  con  playage  al  parecer,  y  no 
pudimos  acabar  de  montar  por  habernos  rechasado  las  corrientes 
como  ya  dije  arriba  :  desde  esta  dicha  punta  del  E.  S.  E.  sigue 
tierra  baja  como  seis  leguas  6  mas  que  corre  hasta  el  E.  y  ai 
vimos  rematar  la  costa  que  es  lo  que  pudimos  divisar  y  vimos 
estaba  tan  poblada  como  la  punta  de  la  misma  arboleda  de 
ciprezes. 

Al  N.  de  la  punta  del  S.  O.  de  Santa  Margarita  como  diez  y 
seis  leguas  distante  de  ella  divisamos  un  cabo  muy  alto  de  la 
misma  manera  poblado  de  arboleda,  que  llam6  el  seiior  capitan  el 
cabo  de  Santa  Maria  Magdalena.  Desde  el  dicho  cabo  sigue  la 
costa  de  tierra  muy  alta  y  tambien  poblaua  de  arboleda  que  corre 
del  E.  al  O.  todo  lo  que  pudimos  alcanzar  con  la  vista  y  al  N.  O. 
\  al  O.  de  dicha  costa  divisamos  un  islote  que  se  llam6  de  Santa 
Cristina,  su  curso  de  N.  O.,  S.  E.  d  distancia  de  unas  diez  y  seis 


IS* 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


leguas  de  la  dicha  punta  de  Santa  Margarita  del  S.  O.  aunque  no 
pudimos  certificarnos  si  era  isla  porque  puede  tener  tierra  baja  con 
que  comunique  con  tierra  firme  que  como  la  vimos  de  lejos  no 
pudimos  salir  de  la  duda  :  mas  desde  el  dicho  cabo  de  Santa  Maria 
Magdalena  corre  costa  mas  mediana  hasta  el  N.  E.  y  por  el  E.  N. 
E.  ya  no  se  veia  correr  tierra  hasta  el  E.  en  donde  remata  la 
tierra  baja  que  llevo  espresada  arriba  y  erapieza  desde  la  punta  de 
Santa  Margarita  del  E.  S.  E.  y  reraatan  sus  diez  leguas  de  larger 
al  dicho  E. 

El  cabo  de  Santa  Maria  Magdalena  que  estd  N.  S.  con  la  punta 
de  Santa  Margarita  del  S.  O.  entre  el  dicho  cabo  y  el  E.  hace  una 
abra  de  como  diez  leguas  en  donde  hace  conio  una  ensenada  muy 
grande  6  bolson  que  la  violencia  de   las  corrientes   (que  de  ella 
venian  nos  rechazavan  al  S.)  no  nos  dijeron  registrar  ni  entrar  en 
ella  y  asf  no  pudimos  saber  de  cierto  si  es  ensenada,  bolson  6 
estrecho  que  si  no  es  estrecho  sino  ensenada  puede  ser  que  en  ella 
puede  ser  que  desemboque  aigun  caudaloso  rio  que  causase  aquella 
fuerza  de  corrientes  que  no  permitio  entrasemos  d  registrar.     El 
cabo  de  Santa  Maria  Magdalena  dista  como  diez   leguas   hasta  la 
punta  de  tierra  baja  que  se  empieza  i  formar  6  d  correr  desde  la 
segunda  punta  del  E.  S.  E.  de  Santa  Margarita  y   remate  en  el 
mismo  E.  y  esto  es  lo  que  tiene  de  ancho  la  boca   6  entrada  de 
dicha  ensenada,  estrecho,  6  golfo,  6  bolson.     El  cabo  de  Santa 
Maria  Magdalena  sale  mar  d  iuera  del  E.  al  O.  y  cerca  la  punta 
que  hace  al  O.  es  la  dicha  isla  de  Santa  Cristina  que  no  estd  muy 
apartada  de  la  punta  y  puede  ser  que  no  sea  isla  sino  punta  de  la 
tierra  firme  como  ya  dije.     A  las  doce  horas  de  estar  en  calma  y 
apartados  de  la  tierra  como  una  legua  enfrente  de  la  punta  6  loma 
de  Santa  Margarita  del  S.  O.  empezaron  d  salir  canoas  asi  de  la 
primera  punta  del  S.  O.  como  de  la  segunda  punta  que  mira  al  E. 
S.  E.  y  en  breve  tiempo  se  arrimaron  veinte  y  una  canoas  algunas 
bien  grandes  otras  medianas  y  otras  chicas  ;  entre  ellas  habia  dos 
que  cada  una  de  ellas  no  bajaria  de  doce  varas  de  quilla,  en  la  una 
venian  veinte  hombres  y  en  la  otra  diez  y  nueve ;  en  las  medianas 
venian  diez  6  doce  personas,  y  en  las  mas  chicas   no  bajaban  de 
seis  d  siete  :  en  breve  nos  vimos  cercados  de  las  veinte  y   una 
canoas  y  de  mas  de  doscientas  almas  entre  hombres,  mugeres, 
ninos  y  nifias,  pues  en  las  mas  habia  algunas  mugeres  ;  entre  las 
dichas  canoas  vino  una  solo  de  mugeres  que  serian   unas  doce, 
ellas  solas  remando  y  governando  la  canoa  como  los  mas  diestros 
marineros.     Venian  las  canoas  hacia  bordo  sin   el   menor  recelo, 
cantando  y  tocando  unos  instrumentos  de  palo  como  atambor  6 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


157 


.  aunque  no 
!rra  baja  con 
de  lejos  no 
Santa  Maria 
por  el  E.  N. 
s  remata  la 
la  punta  de 
las  de  largor 

:on  la  punta 
E.  hace  una 
senada  muy 
que  de  ella 
ni  entrar  en 
la,  bolsoti  6 
que  en  ella 
isase  aquella 
:gistrar.  El 
las  hasta  la 
rer  desde  la 
emate  en  el 

entrada  de 
o  de  Santa 
ca  la  punta 
no  estd  muy 
punta  de  la 
en  calma  y 
unta  6  loma 
IS  asi  de  la 
e  mira  al  E. 
loas  algunas 
IS  habia  dos 
a,  en  la  una 
as  medianas 

bajaban  de 
;inte  y  una 
IS,  mugeres, 
s ;  entre  las 

Unas  doce, 
nas  diestros 
enor  recelo, 
o  atambor  6 


pandero  y  algunos  con  ademanes  de  bailar,  arrimaronse  d  la  fragata 
cercandola  por  todos  lados  y  luego  se  abri6  entre  el  os  y  los  nues- 
tros  una  feria  que  luego  couocimos  venian  a  tra^.ar  y  feriar  sus 
trastes  con  otros  de  los  nuestros  ;  estos  les  dieroi;  algunos  belde- 
ques,  trapos  y  avalorios  y  ellos  correspondieron  danilo  cueros  de 
nutria  y  de  otros  animales  no  conocidos,  bien  curtidos  y  agamuza- 
dos,  colchas  de  nutria,  tambien  cocidas  unas  con  otras  que  ni  el 
mejor  sastre  la  haria  mejor  ;  otras  colchas  6  fresadas  de  lana  fina  6 
de  pelo  de  animales  que  parece  lana  fina  tejida  y  laboreada  de  hilo 
del  mism?  pelo  de  varios  colores  principalrnente  bianco,  negro  y 
amarillo,  un  tejido  tan  tupido  que  parece  ser  becho  en  telares.  Y 
todas  las  colchas  tienen  alrededor  sus  flecos  del  mismo  hilo  tor- 
cJdo,  de  mo;io  que  para  una  sobre  mesa  6  carpeta  es  al  proposito,  y 
como  si  para  dicho  fin  estuviesen  hechas.  Dieron  tambien  algunos 
petatillos  al  parecer  de  palma  fina  con  labores  de  varios  colores  ; 
algunos  sombreros  de  junco,  algunos  ordinarios  otros  mas  finos  y 
los  mas  de  ellos  pintados,  la  figura  de  ellos  couio  ya  dije  de  copa 
piramidal  y  de  alas  angostas,  con  su  hilo  para  asegurarlo  en  la 
barba  que  no  lo  lleve  el  viento.  Tambien  se  consigui6  de  ellos 
algunas  bateas  de  madera  chicas,  bien  labradas  y  laboreadas,  como 
de  escultura  6  talla  en  la  misma  madera,  de  figuras  de  hombres 
animales  y  pajaros,  y  algunas  cucharas  tambien  de  madera  con 
labores  por  la  parte  de  afuera  y  lizas  por  adentro  y  una  de  ellas 
bastante  grande  toda  de  cuerno  que  no  pudimos  saver  de  que 
animal  seria. 

Se  consiguieron  dos  cajas  de  pino  de  como  una  vara  en  cuadro 
bien  labradas  de  tablas  y  en  lugar  de  clavason  cocido  con  hilo  en 
las  cuatro  esquinas  ;  no  tienen  goznes  ni  chapas,  sino  que  las 
tapas  son  como  las  de  las  petacas  con  el  ajuste  segun  y  como  las 
cajas  de  polvos  por  dentro  algo  toscas  pero  por  afuera  muy  bien 
labradas  y  lisas  y  en  la  delantera  con  labores  d  modo  de  talla  con 
varias  figuras  y  ramos  y  embutidas  conchas  y  caracolitos  de  la  mar 
con  tan  buen  encaje  que  no  pudimos  conocer  como  estan  embuti- 
das, y  algunas  de  ellas  estan  pintadas  de  varios  colores,  principal- 
raente  de  Colorado  y  amarillo  :  en  todas  las  canoas  vimos  de  estas 
cajas  y  algunas  habia  de  cerca  de  vara  y  media  de  largo,  con  su 
anchor  correspondiente,  se  sirven  de  ellas  para  guardar  sus  traste- 
citos  como  tambien  para  sentarse  en  ellas  para  remar :  dieron  tam- 
bien algunos  seiiidores  de  hilo  de  lana,  6  pelo  tejidos  y  bien 
tupidos  y  algun  pescado  seco  del  mismo  que  dije  ayer.  Se  les 
conoci6  grande  aficion  d  las  cosas  de  hierro  y  de  corte,  pero  que  no 


!!f 


i 


M 


158 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


scan  piezas  chicas  :  £  los  avalorios  no  se  les  conoci6  particular 
aficion  recibieron  alguna  galleta  y  sin  el  reparo  comieron  de  ella. 
Yo  dije  que  son  indios  bien  formados  y  de  buenas  caras  algo 
blancos  y  vermejos  con  pelo  largo  y  algunos  de  ellos  barbados 
todos  vinieron  vestidos  en  todo  el  cuerpo  ;  unos  de  pieles  de  nutria 
y  otros  animales,  y  otros  de  msmtas  tejidas  de  lana  6  de  pelo  que 
parecia  fina  lana  y  una  pieza  d  inodo  de  esclavina  con  que  se  tapan 
hasta  la  cintura  y  lo  demas  del  cuerpo  se  tapan  con  pieles  agamu- 
zadas  y  con  dichos  tejidos  de  lana  de  varies  colores  que  hace 
hermosas  labores,  unos  con  mangas  y  otros  sin  ellas  :  trahian  los 
mas  sus  sombreros  de  junco  como  llevo  expresado.     I,as  mugeres 
andan  de  la  misma  manera  vestidas,  estas  traen  en  el  labio  de 
abajo  que  tienen  agujereado  colgada  una  rodeta  pintada  de  colores 
que  parecia  de  tabla  delgada  curba,  que  les  afea  mucho  pues  de 
algo  apartadas  parecen  que  traen  sacada  y  colgada  la  leng'ua  ;  con 
facilidad  y  con  solo  el  movimiento  del  labio  se  levanta  dicha 
tablita  y  les  tapa  la  boca  y  parte  de  la  nariz,  dijeron  de  los  nues- 
tros,  los  que  las  vieron  mas  de  cerca  que  tienen  taladrado  el  kbio 
de  abajo  y  de  ^1  cuelgan  dicha  rodeta,  no  sabemos  que  fin  tendran 
en  esto  si  serA  para  afearse  como  algunos  asi  lo  entienden,  6  para 
engalanarse,  y  d  esto  me  inclina  pues  en  la  gentilidad  descubierta 
desde  San  Diego  d  Monte  Rey,  hemos  observado  que  cuando  van 
de  visita  d  otra  rancheria  se  embijan  de  varios  colores  que  se  ponen 
feisimos  ;  de  los  hombres  vimos  algunos  embijados  de  almagr  i  con 
un  color  bien  fino.     Aunque  combidamos  d  dichos  indios  subiesen 
d  bordo  no  se  atrevieron,  solo  dos  se  arrimaron   y  se  les  enjetio 
todo  y  quedaron  a  Jmirados  de  cuanto  veian  en   la  f ragata  :  los 
entraron  en  la  camara  y  nosotros  le  enssnamos  la  imagen  de  nues- 
tra  sefiora  y  despues  de  haberla  mirado  con  admiracion  la  tocaron 
con  la  mano  y  entendimos  provaban  si  era  verdadera  y  vivfi ;  se 
les  regal6  y  se  les  dijo  por  seiias  que  iriamos  d  su  tierra  d  hacer 
agua.      Mientras  estos  estaban  en  la  fragata  dos  de  nuest'.os  mar- 
ineros  saltaron  d  las  canoas  de  que  se  alegraron  mucho  loi  indios  h 
hicieron  grande  fiesta,  los  embijaron  y  bailaron  con  ell  as  con  tales 
espresiones  de  contento  que  no  harian.si  hubiese  sido  gente  cono- 
cida,  dando  d  entender  con  la  sena  de  poner  la  mano  en  el  pecho 
que  los  querian  mucho. 

De  que  inferimos  todos  ser  esta  gente  de  paz  y  muy  docil  ;  los 
de  las  canoas  convidaron  d  los  dos  marineros  que  si  querian  los 
Uevarian  en  las  canoas  d  su  tierra  ;  pero  no  quisieron  sino  que  les 
dijeron  que  irian  con  el  barco  y  con  la  demas  gente  ;  pero  no  fud 
dable  por  la  calma  el  arrimarnos  porque  prosigui6  toda  la  tarde  y 


6  particular 

ron  de  ella. 

.s  caras  algo 

OS   barbados 

les  de  nutria 

de  pelo  que 

que  se  tapan 

eles  agarau- 

!S  que  hace 

trahian  los 

,as  mugeres 

el  labio  de 

la  de  colores 

:ho  pues  de 

len^ua ;  con 

vanta  dicha 

ie  los  nues- 

ado  el  kbio 

fin  tendran 

iden,  6  f-ara 

descubierta 

cuando  van 

lue  se  f  onen 

almagr ;  con 

ios  subiesen 

les  eni'eno 

ragata  :  los 

en  de  nues- 

la  tocaron 

y   vivfi  ;  se 

ra   d   hacer 

lestvos  mar- 

loi  indios  e 

as  con  tales 

;ente  cono- 

n  el  pecho 

docil  ;  los 
juerian  los 
iino  que  les 
)ero  no  fu^ 

la  tarde  y 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


^59 


las  corrientes  nos  apartaron  de  la  tierra  y  las  canoas  se  despidieron 
convidandonos  con  su  tierra,  y  entendimos  por  seiias  que  nos 
decian  no  fueramos  mas  arriba  porque  la  que  habia  era  belicosa  y 
matadora,  ordinario  encargo  de  casi  todos  los  gentiles  para  dar  d 
eiitender  que  ellos  son  buenos  y  los  demas  malos.  Nos  llev6  la 
atencion,  asi  su  aspecto  de  bien  carados  hombres  y  mugeres  con  su 
pelo  largo  bien  peinado  y  hecha  trenza,  particularmente  las  niuger. 
es  Uevaban  la  cabeza  muy  compuesta  y  como  el  usar  vestido  casi 
talar,  los  tejidos  tan  buenos  y  tan  bien  fabricados  y  demas  obritas 
de  manos  que  de  ellos  consiguieron  los  nuestros  asi  de  madera,  de 
palma,  junco  y  tambien  de  marfil. 

El  ver  que  las  mugeres  usan  de  anillos  en  los  dedos  y  de  braza- 
letes  de  hierro  y  cobre,  estos  yo  los  vi  en  diferentes  mugeres  y 
nuestros  marineros  que  las  vieron  de  cerca  aseguraron  que  habia 
muger  que  llevaba  cinco  6  seis  anillos  de  hierro  y  cobre  en  los 
dedos  de  las  manos  ;  y  de  estos  metales  algo  se  vi6  aunque  poco  y 
conocimos  el  aprecio  que  de  ellos  hacen,  principalmente  de  piezas 
grandes  y  de  corte.  El  seiior  capitan  que  ha  estado  bastante 
tiempo  en  china  y  Philipinas  dice  que  mucho  se  asemejan  fi  los 
sangleyes  de  Philipinas  ;  lo  cierto  es  que  el  tejido  de  los  petatillos 
finos  se  asemeja  d  los  que  vienen  de  china.  Aunque  la  noche  es 
bien  corta  pues  nos  sale  el  sol  antes  de  las  cuatro  se  nos  hizo  larga 
por  los  deseos  que  teniamos  de  saltar  d  tierra.  Algunos  de  los 
marineros  de  los  que  compraron  mantas  la  pasaron  mala,  porque 
habiendose  arropado  con  ellas  tuvieron  qne  rascar  por  los  piquetes 
que  les  dieron  los  animalitos  que  tambien  crian  estos  gentiles  en 
sus  ropas. 

Viernes  veinte  y  dos  de  Julio,  como  d  las  doce  de  la  manana  se 
levant6  el  viento  S.  O.  aunque  muy  lento,  y  como  d  las  cinco 
distavamos  como  cuatro  leguas  de  la  tierra.  Caminavamos  cerca 
della  con  la  proa  al  E.  \  al  N.  E.  con  el  fin  de  montar  la  segunda 
punta  del  E.  S.  de  Santa  Margarita  y  registrar  si  ay  fondeaderos 
en  el  recodo  que  hace  tras  de  dicha  punta,  pero  las  corrientes  que 
mucho  nos  sotaventavan  no  nos  dieron  lugar  d  llegar  d  dicha  punta, 
antes  se  vieron  precisados  d  virar  de  bordo  con  la  proa  al  S.  S.  E. 
Al  medio  dia  que  nos  hallavamos  en  el  paralelo  de  la  punta  de 
Santa  Margarita  del  S.  O.  en  donde  aviamos  querido  fondear  el 
dia  veinte  y  uno  y  no  hallaron  fondo  :  pudieron  los  sefiores  obser- 
var  y  nos  dijo  el  sefior  capitan  que  nos  hallavamos  en  la  altura  de 
cincuenta  y  cinco  grades  cavales,  y  asi  en  esta  altura  se  halla  la 
punta  de  Santa  Margarita.  Cerca  de  la  una  de  la  tarde  viraron 
poniendo  la  proa  acia  tierra,  pero  d  las  dos  horas  poco  mas  se 


i6o 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


Ifflii' 


''3  , 


llam6  el  viento  al  O.  S.  O.  y  viraron  poniendo  la  proa  al  S.  y 
poco  despues  cambi6  al  S.  O.  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  S.  S.  E:  esta 
tarde  ha  estado  el  viento  muy  fresco  con  grande  neblina  muy 
espesa  que  nada  se  veia  y  tan  huraeda  que  parece  estar  lloviendo, 
por  este  motivo  y  ser  el  viento  contrario  y  grande  la  marejada  con 
la  fuerza  de  las  corrientes  que  nos  echavan  sobre  la  tierra,  se 
camin6  para  fuera  y  se  perdi6  de  vista  la  tierra. 

Savado  veinte  y  tres  de  Julio  amanecimos  con  una  gran  mare- 
jada por  la  proa  que  Uevamos  toda  la  noche  para  fuera  apartando- 
nos  de  la  tierra  ;  sigue  el  misrao  viento  neblina  y  agua  que  la 
noche  antecedente,  de  modo  que  en  todo  el  dia  no  se  ha  dejado  ver 
el  sol.  Antes  de  medio  dia  se  mud6  el  viento  al  O.  S.  O.  y  cami- 
namos  al  S.  k  ties  millas  y  d  dos  y  media  por  hora  :  viendo  los 
tiempos  tan  contrarios  para  conseguir  el  deseado  fin  de  saltar  en 
tierra  y  registrar  la  tierra  deterrainamos  hacer  una  novena  d  San 
Juan  Nepomuceno  para  que  nos  alcance  del  sefior  con  su  soberano 
patrocinio  los  tiempos  favorables,  la  que  se  empez6  esta  tarde 
luego  de  concluido  el  cuotidiano  rezo  de  la  corona  d  Maria  Santi- 
sima  nuestra  setiora. 

Domingo  veinte  y  cuatro  de  Julio  dia  de  San  Francisco  Solano 
Apostol  del  Peril  y  patron  de  estos  mares  del  sur  ;  nos  amaneci6 
el  dia  claro  y  con  viento  fresco  O.  S.  O. ;  el  padre  compafiero  dijo 
misa  y  en  ella  hizo  su  platica  como  en  todos  los  domingos,  pero 
antes  de  acabar  la  misa  refresco  demasiadamente  y  amenazando 
chubascos  y  algo  llovi6  por  cuyo  motivo  no  pudo  haver  segunda 
misa  aunque  yo  ya  havia  logrado  asistir  d  la  del  padre  Fray 
Tomas.  Poco  despues  de  las  ocho  de  la  maiiana  volvi6  d  abrir  y 
sigui6  el  dia  muy  claro  y  hermoso  sol,  qual  no  hemos  logrado 
desde  que  subimos  de  40  grados  por  arriba.  A  las  doce  observa- 
ron  los  seiiores  d  toda  satisfacion  y  nos  dijo  el  seiior  capitan  nos 
hallavamos  en  la  altura  de  cincuenta  y  tres  grados  y  cuarenta  y 
ocho  minutos  ;  el  viento  se  iva  manteniendo  fresco  y  bueno  del  0. 
S.  O.  hasta  el  O.  y  andavamos  bien,  poco  despues  de  medio  dia 
se  puso  la  proa  al  K.  aunque  desde  las  seis  de  la  mafiana  hasla 
esta  tarde  se  ha  andado  d  quatro  millas  no  podemos  divisar  tierra  ; 
siendo  asi  que  logramos  los  orizontes  muy  claros.  Antes  de 
meterse  el  sol  se  calm6  el  viento  y  se  divis6  la  tierra  y  segun  dicen 
es  la  misma  que  divisamos  el  dia  diez  y  ocho.  Cuya  costa  desde 
la  punta  de  Santa  Margarita  corre  tierra  baja  Norte  Sur  como  siete 
leguas  y  desde  dicha  tierra  baja  que  estd  en  cincuenta  y  cuatro 
grados  y  cuarenta  y  cuatro  minutos,  comienzan  unas  sierras  muy 
altas  y  gruesas  con  diferentes  picachos  muy  elevados  y  nevados 


I. 

proa  al  S.  y 

S.  S.  E:  esta 

neblina  muy 

far  Uoviendo, 

raarejada  con 

I  la  tierra,  se 

gran   mare- 

ra  apartando- 

agua  que  la 

ha  dejado  ver 

3.  O.  y  cami- 

:  viendo  los 

de  saltar  en 

oven  a   A  San 

I  su  soberano 

6  esta  tarde 

Maria  Santi- 

Cisco  Solano 
los  amaneci6 
npafiero  dijo 
mingos,  pero 
amenazando 
ver  segunda 

padre  Fray 
i6  d  abrir  y 
smos  logrado 
oce  observa- 
capitan  nos 

cuarenta  y 
}ueno  del  0. 
e  medio  dia 
liiana  hasla 
visar  tierra  ; 
Antes  de 
seg^n  dicen 
costa  desde 
r  como  siete 
ta  y  cuatro 
sierras  muy 

y  nevados 


Doaiments  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


i6t 


que  nos  parecieron  estar  muy  poblados  de  arboledas  que  aunque  no 
podiamos  distinguir  que  arboles  serian  hicimos  juicio  que  serian 
cipreses,  pinos,  fresnos  y  ayas  ;  pues  de  todas  estas  maderas  y  aun 
ramas  se  vieron  en  las  canoas  que  se  nos  arrimaron  enfrente  de  la 
punta  de  Santa  Margarita.  Dichas  sierras  altas  que  llam6  el 
seiior  capitan  las  sierras  de  San  Cristoval,  corren  desde  la  altura 
de  cincuenta  y  cuatro  grades  y  cuarenta  y  cuatro  niinutos  hasta 
cincuenta  y  tres  grados  y  ocho  minutos  de  N.  O. ;  S.  E.  para  el  S. 
miradas  de  la  mar,  y  desde  tierra  parece  que  tienen  su  curso  N.  N. 
O.;  S.  S.  E.  ' 

Lunes  veinte  y  cinco  de  Julio  dia  de  nuestro  patron  Santiago  el 
mayor,  amaneci6  el  dia  bien  claro  y  con  buen  sol :  digimos  ambos 
misa  y  en  la  mia  comulgaron  el  cirujano  y  dos  niarineros,  y  en  la 
misa  del  padre  compaiiero,  se  adniinistr6  el  viatico  al  marinero 
enfermo,  que  quince  dias  antes  haviamos  oleado  por  el  peligro  que 
entonces  vi6.  Aunque  amanecimos  con  la  misma  calma  que 
hemos  tenido  la  noche  pasada  ;  pero  d  las  seis  de  la  maiiana  nos 
entr6  el  viento  E.  de  la  costa  contrario  para  podernos  arrimar  d  la 
tierra  que  tenemos  d  la  vista  y  solo  distante  como  ocho  leguas  que 
es  la  sierra  de  San  Cristoval  que  ya  dije  ayer,  y  segun  la  observc- 
cion  que  oy  ha  hecho  el  senor  capitan  se  halla  en  la  altura  de 
cincuenta  y  tres  grados  y  veinte  y  un  minutos.  Tiene  de  largo 
dicha  sierra  alta  como  treinta  y  seis  leguas  al  parecer  desde  dos 
picachos  el  uno  que  estd  al  S.  y  el  otro  al  N.  Despues  de  medio 
dia  se  volvi6  d  cerrar  de  espesa  neblina  y  como  d  las 'seis  de  la 
tarde  empez6  d  Hover  y  arreci6  mas  d  entrada  de  noche  ;  todo  el 
dia  se  mantuvo  el  viento  E.  contrario  para  arrimarnos  d  la  tierra  y 
por  la  noche  se  fu6  alargando  hasta  el  S.  S.  E.  y  S.  Poco  antes 
de  las  siete  muri6  el  marinero  que  haviamos  sacramentado  llamado 
Salvador  Antonio  natural  del  pueblo  de  Guainamota.  Anima 
ejus  requiescat  in  pace  Amen. 

Martes  veinte  y  seis  de  Julio,  dia  de  la  seiiora  Santa  Ana,  ama- 
neci6  llovisnando  y  el  dia  cerrado  de  espesa  neblina,  por  cuyo 
motive  solo  se  pudo  decir  una  misa  que  la  celebr6  el  padre  com- 
paiiero, la  que  dijo  de  cuerpo  presente  para  el  difunto,  el  qual  se 
hech6  d  la  agua  con  las  ceremonias  eclesiasticas  luego  de  concluida 
la  misa.  ?u6  poco  d  poco  reciando  el  viento  S. ,  de  modo  que  d 
las  diez  del  dia  era  tan  fuerte  que  nos  iba  d  hechar  sobre  la  costa, 
la  que  no  nos  dejava  ver  la  espesa  neblina  y  receloso  el  senor  capi- 
tan no  diesimos  d  penas  en  una  costa  no  conocida  mand6  virar  de 
bordo  poniendo  la  proa  al  O.  y  nos  quedamos  d  la  bolina  forzada 
con  solo  el  velacho  del  palo  mayor,  porque  el  viento  por  instantes 

16 


■i 


1 6a 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


se  ponia  mas  fuerte,  y  por  no  perder  altura,  y  no  apartarnos  mucho 
de  la  costa  ;  apretd  mas  el  viento  y  movi6  grande  marejada  de  tal 
manera  que  ya  no  podiamos  aguantar  los  balances  :  asi  pasanios 
todo  el  dia  con  dicho  viento  y  lluvia  hasta  las  once  de  la  noche 
que  se  cambi6  al  S.  O.  y  luego  viraron  de  bordo  poniendo  la  proa 
&  la  costa  haciendo  todas  las  diligencias  posibles  para  conseguir  el 
saltar  d  tierra. 

Miercoles  veinte  y  siete  de  Julio  amaneci6  muy  cerrado  el  dia 
de  espesa  neblina  y  lloviendo,  soplando  el  S.  O.  que  nos  entr6  d 
las  once  de  la  noche  antecedente,  con  que  caminamos  para  la  costa 
con  la  proa  al  S.  S.  B.  con  bastante  marejada  que  nos  dej6  el 
viento  S.  de  ayer.  Antes  de  las  diez  abri6  el  dia  y  se  descubri6 
bien  el  sol  que  di6  lugar  i,  la  observacion,  y  nos  dijo  el  sefior 
capitan  que  nos  hallavamos  en  cincuenta  y  dos  grados  y  cincuenta 
y  nueve  minutos.  El  viento  despues  de  medio  dia  abri6  una 
quarta  mas  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  S.  E.  i  al  S. ,  y  como  d  las  tres 
fu6  afloj'*.ndo  de  modo  que  al  entrar  la  noche  nos  quedamos  en 
calma  :  aunque  por  la  tarde  tuvimos  buen  sol  y  el  dia  claro  no 
divisamos  la  costa  *  al  meterse  el  sol  estavan  los  orizontes  cerrados 
no  s4  si  por  esto  6  por  estar  muy  apartados  no  divisamos  la  costa. 

Jueves  veinte  y  ocho  de  Julio  amanecimos  con  la  misma  calma 
que  nos  entr6  anoche,  pero  con  el  dia  muy  claro  y  divisamos  la 
tierra  como  seis  6  siete  leguas  distante,  y  se  mira  una  cordillera  de 
sierra  muy  alta  y  gruesa.  Demarc6  el  setior  capitan  los  dos  estre- 
mos  della  que  se  veian  bien  claro  uno  al  N.  y  otro  al  S. :  el  del 
N.  le  demarc6  al  N.  N.  O.  y  el  del  S.  al  E. ,  y  la  distancia  de 
estremo  d  estremo  de  como  i8  leguas,  y  segun  la  dicha  demarca- 
cion  corre  esta  costa  de  N.  O.  S.  E. ,  aunque  puede  haber  alguna 
variacion,  por  estar  apartados  de  la  costa  quando  se  demarc6 : 
vimos  bien  claros  los  picachos  nevados  que  descubrimos  el  dia  i8 
de  este  mes,  y  ya  los  miramos  bien  apartados  de  nosotros  acia  el 
N. ;  esta  costa  dedonde  la  miramos  parece  estar  acantilada  d  la 
mar  aunque  puede  tener  playa  baja  que  la  distancia  no  nos  deje 
ver,  no  tuvimos  mas  que  unas  ventolinas  calmosas  que  no  nos 
dieron  lugar  d  arrimarnos.  Al  medio  dia  observaron  y  nos  dijo  el 
sefior  capitan  que  nos  hallavamos  en  la  altura  de  cincuenta  y  dos 
grados  y  cincuenta  y  un  minutos.  Demarc6  de  nuevo  la  tierra  y 
sierra  alta  de  San  Cristoval ;  y  lo  que  se  veia  de  ellas  mas  al  N.  le 
demoraron  al  N.  N.  O.  d  distancia  de  como  i8  leguas  y  el  otro 
estremo  mas  al  S.  le  demor6  al  E-  S.  E. ,  siguieron  toda  la  tarde  y 
noche  ventolinas  calmosas.  i 


Documents  front  the  Sutro  Collection. 


163 


arnos  mucho 
■ejada  de  tal 
asi  pasamos 
le  la  noche 
endo  la  proa 
conseguir  el 

rrado  el  dia 

nos  entr6  d 
para  la  costa 

nos  dej6  el 
je  descubri6 
dijo  el  senor 

y  cincuenta 

a  abri6  una 

i  las  tres 

uedamos  en 
ia  claro  no 
tes  cerrados 
9S  la  costa. 
isma  calma 
livisamos  la 
ordillera  de 
>s  dos  estre- 
1  S.:  el  del 
istancia    de 
la  demarca- 
iber  alguna 
le  demarc6 : 
•s  el  dia  18 
ros  acia  el 
tilada  d  la 
no  nos  deje 
ue  no  nos 

nos  dijo  el 
enta  y  dos 
la  tierra  y 
las  al  N.  le 
5  y  el  otro 
a  la  tarde  y 


Viernes  viente  y  ni  eve  de  Julio,  amaneci6  el  dia  muy  nublado 
aunque  sin  neblina  y  asi  miramos  bien  la  costa  que  dista  de  noso- 
tros  de  siete  &.  ocho  leguas,  dejando  ya  atras  la  sierra  de  San  Cris- 
toval  (jue  segun  el  parecer  del  sefior  capitan  tienen  las  dichas  como 
cincuenta  y  cinco  leguas  de  largo  empezando  desde  la  punta  de 
Santa  Margarita.  Esta  otra  costa  que  oy  tenemos  d  la  vista  es 
tambien  sierra  medianament^  alta  con  algunos  inogotes,  aunque 
no  tanto  como  la  dicha  de  San  Cristoval  y  aunque  la  niiraiuos  algo 
apartados  della  nos  ha  parecido  que  es  acantilada  d  la  mar  y  que 
tiene  algunas  quebradas,  aunque  si  se  logra  el  veria  mas  de  cerca 
y  registrarla  se  podra  saber  lo  cierto  de  ello,  como  tambien  si  con- 
tiene  puertos,  ensenadas,  bahias,  radas  que  por  lo  que  hasta  oy 
hemos  visto  no  podemos  dar  mas  razon  que  la  dicha  y  que  tiene  su 
curso  de  N.  N.  O.  S.  E. ,  y  que  segun  la  demarcacion  que  se  ha 
hecho  nos  demora  al  E.  N.  E. ;  para  notar  en  la  altura  que  se 
halla  falt6  el  sol  para  la  observacion,  pues  en  todo  el  dia  no  le  he- 
mos visto  d  causa  del  mucho  nublado  :  como  d  las  diez  poco  *  ris 
de  la  mafiana  se  cambi6  el  viento  al  S.  S.  E.  y  luego  pusieron  la 
proa  al  S.  O.  aunque  en  breve  afloj6  y  poco  d  poco  nos  quedamos 
en  calma  que  continu6  toda  la  noche. 

Sabado  treinta  de  Julio  aunque  amaneci6  el  dia  bien  nublado, 
estava  claro  y  sin  neblina  ;  amanecimos  bastante  apartados  de  la 
costa  que  apenas  se  veia  porquc  d  la  madrugada  refresc6  algo  el 
viento  S.  E.  i  al  S. ,  d  las  once  y  media  se  llam6  algo  el  viento  al 
S.  y  viraron  para  la  costa  con  el  fin  de  registrar  dos  abras  que 
ayer  se  divisaron  en  la  costa,  pero  no  fu^  dable  el  conseguir  dicho 
registro  porque  d  las  doce  y  media  volvi6  d  llamarse  el  viento  al  S. 
E.  y  viraron  otra  vez  poniendo  la  proa  al  S.  O. :  fu6  por  instantes 
refrescando  dicho  viento  y  causando  bastante  marejada  que  entrava 
por  la  proa  cabeceando  mucho  la  fragata  y  dando  continuos  balan- 
ces que  no  podiamos  estar  en  pi^  :  as(  dur6  toda  la  noche  que  l\x€ 
bien  pesada  asf  por  lo  dicho  como  por  lo  que  llovi6,  y  se  pas6  pas- 
ando  el  temporal  con  solo  el  trinquete  y  la  mayor. 

Domingo  treinta  y  uno  de  Julio,  amaneci6  el  dia  muy  cerrado  y 
Uoviendo,  aunque  el  viento  algo  havia  aflojado.  No  ha  sido  posi- 
ble  decir  misa  este  dia  asi  por  la  agua  como  por  los  grandes  balan- 
ces y  marejada:  continua  el  viento  S.  S.  E.,  aunque  no  tan  fuerte 
como  por  la  noche,  llevamos  la  proa  al  S.  O.  y  ya  sin  ver  tierra  : 
abri6  algo  el  sol  y  di6  lugar  d  poder  observar  y  segun  nos  dijo  el 
senor  capitan  nos  hallamos  en  la  altura  de  cincuenta  y  un  grades 
y  cincuenta  y  ocho  minutos  ;  por  la  tarde  y  parte  de  la  noche  con- 


164 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


iSS 


tinu6  el  mismo  vieiito  y   marejada.      Esta  tarde  concluimos  la 
novena  d  San  Juan  Nepomuceno  para  la  felicidad  del  viage. 

Agosto  :  Lunes  primero  de  Agosto  amaneci6  el  dia  muy  nubla- 
do  con  viento  S.  O.  que  nos  entr6  d  la  una  de  la  noche  y  desde 
dicha  hora  Uevamos  la  proa  al  S.  S.  E.  d  fin  de  arrimarnos  otra 
vez  d  la  costa  ;  d  las  ocho  abrio  bien  el  sol,  con  que  pudieron 
observar  y  nos  dijo  el  seiior  capitan  que  nos  hallamos  en  la  altura 
de  cincuenta  y  un  grados  y  treinta  y  cinco  minutos  :  despues  de 
las  doce  calmo  algo  el  viento  variando  desde  el  S.  al  S.  O. :  d  las 
seis  de  la  tarde  se  fue  alargando  el  viento  hasta  el  O.  y  dur6  asi 
toda  la  noche  y  nos  dej6  la  marejada  que  nos  niolest6  estos  dias. 

Martes  dos  de  Agosto  amaneci6  nublado  pero  en  breve  desterro 
el  sol  las  nubes  y  se  descubri6  :  el  viento  O.  nos  dur6  hasta  las 
quatro  de  la  manana  que  se  alarg6  mas  canviandose  al  O.  N.  O. 
del  quarto  quadrante,  viento  d  Dios  gracias  favorable  para  arri- 
marnos d  la  costa,  para  cuyo  fin  pusieron  en  dicha  hora  la  proa  al 
S.  E.  y  para  ella  se  camina.  Al  medio  dia  se  observ6  y  nos  dijo  el 
senor  capitan  nos  hallamos  en  cincuenta  grados  y  veinte  minutos  : 
acavado  de  observar  viendo  lo  que  hemos  bajado  mand6  el  seiior 
capitan  poner  la  proa  al  E.  i  al  S.  E.  y  va  manteniendose  el 
mismo  viento  fresco  y  ha  seguido  toda  la  tarde  y  noche  siguiente. 
Como  d  las  seis  de  la  tarde  se  cerr6  de  una  espesa  neblina. 

Miercoles  tres  de  Agosto  amaneci6  con  el  mismo  viento  O.  N. 
O.  y  con  la  misma  neblina  que  nos  entr6  ayer  tarde  y  tan  espesa 
que  nada  se  puede  ver  aun  de  popa  d  proa  :  roco  ai.tp  de  las 
nueve  nos  entr6  el  viento  N.  O.  muy  deseado  pot  ser  el  mas  favor- 
able para  poder  costear  y  registrar  la  costa  ;  con  el  se  va  con  la 
proa  al  E.  i  al  S.  E. ,  por  instantes  ha  ido  ref rescando  de  modo 
que  d  las  once  y  doce  del  dia  se  andavan  cinco  raillas.  Se  a  man- 
tenido  la  espesa  neblina  y  solo  al  medio  dia  abri6  algo  por  la  parte 
del  S.  con  que  se  pudo  observar  y  nos  dijo  el  seiior  capitan  nos 
hallamos  en  la  altura  de  cuarenta  y  nueve  grados  y  veinte  y  cua- 
tro  minutos.  Oy  reparo  el  sefior  capitan  que  la  aguja  varia  como 
dos  quartas,  at(  ndiendo  d  esto  y  d  lo  muy  cerrado  que  estan  los 
orizontes  con  la  dicha  neblina  y  que  la  costa  no  puede  estar  muy 
apartada,  receloso  de  no  dar  d  ella  impensadamente,  mand6  poco 
antes  de  las  tres  aferrar  dos  andanas  de  rizos  y  poner  la  proa  al  S. 
E.  i  al  S.  A  las  cinco  de  la  tarde  aclar6  bien  el  dia,  de  modo 
que  sali6  el  sol  y  se  abrieron  los  orizontes,  y  por  ninguna  parte  se 
vi6  tierra  que  imaginavamos  ya  cerca,  y  por  esto  mand6  luego  el 
seiior  capitan  poner  la  proa  al  E. ,  y  por  instantes  iba  refrescando 
mas  el  N.  O.  demanera  que  con  solo  el  trinquete  y  vela  de  gabia 


con  solo 
mucho  m 
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de  gabia 


Documents  from  the  Sulro  Collection. 


165 


con  solo  un  rizo  andavamos  quatro  millas  y  por  la  noche  refresc6 
mucho  mas  de  manera  que  oblig6  d  ponernos  d  la  capa;  y  d  las 
die/,  de  la  noche  volvi6  a  cerrarse  de  espesa  neblina. 

Jueves  cuatro  de  Agosto,  cerca  de  las  quatro  de  la  nianana  se 
levant6  un  N.  muy  fresco,  de  modo  que  con  solo  el  trinquete  y 
velacho  de  gabia  con  solo  un  rizo  andavamos  como  cinco  millas  y 
con  una  neblina  tan  espesa  que  no  veiamos  de  popa  d  proa:  el 
mar  se  fu6  alborotando  y  el  N.  por  instantes  apretando  ma.4  de 
modo  que  d  las  ocho  ya  no  podia  la  fragata  aguantar  y  visto 
esto  por  el  seiior  capitan  mand6  aferrar  todas  las  velas  quedan- 
donos  en  palo  seco  con  solo   el  velacho  del  trinquete   y   se   puso 

proa  al  S.  E. :  como  a  las  once  fu6  aclarando  el  dia  y  salio 
el  sol  que  desterr6  la  neblina  y  hubo  lugar  para  observar  y 
nos  hallamos  en  cuarenta  y  ocho  grados  y  cincuenta  y  dos 
minutos  :  hasta  despues  de  conocer  andavamos  con  solo  el  ve- 
acho  de  trinquete  y  andavamos  tres  millas  por  hora  :  habien- 
10  abierto  los  orizontes  y  no  descubriendose  la  costa  y  aflojado 
ilgo  el  viento  mand6  el  senor  capitan  soltar  todas  las  velas  y 
poner  la  proa  al  E.  N.  E.  para  probar  si  por  alguna  parte  se  divi- 
iaba  la  costa  ;  sigui6  el  mismo  viento  aunque  mas  tarde  fud  min- 
srando,  y  con  61  en  todas  las  horas  andavamos  quatro  millas  y  de  la 
nisma  manera  se  pas6  la  noche.  Esta  tarde  despues  del  cuotidi- 
ino  rezo  de  la  corona  d  nuestra  seiiora  y  devociones  de  algunos 
larticulares  santos  dimos  principio  d  una  novena  d  la  Seiiora  Santa 
blara  poniendo  por  intercesora  d  esta  gloriosa  santa  para  alcanzar 
iel  seiior  el  tiempo  favorable  y  dias  claros  para  poder  registrar  la 
losta. 

Viernes  cinco  de  Agosto  amaneci6  el  dia  muy  claro  y  sin  neblina 
'  abiertos  los  orizontes  y  por  ninguna  parte  se  diviso  tierra  pro- 
iguiendo  el  mismo  viento  de  ayer  norte  aunque  no  tan  fresco  y 
levamos  la  proa  al  N.  E. ,  afloj6  antes  de  las  doce  algo  el  N.  de 
nodo  que  ya  no  andavamos  mas  que  dos  millas  y  media  y  por  la 
arde  solas  dos.  Oy  observaron  d  toda  satisfaccion  por  estar  el  dia 
lien  claro  y  nos  hallamos  en  48  grados  cabales. 
Sabado  seis  de  Agosto  amanecimos  con  el  viento  N.  O.  fresco 
on  la  proa  al  N.  E.  i  al  N.,  con  el  dia  muy  claro  sin  nubes  ni 
leblina  y  con  buen  sol  cual  ningun  dia  lo  hemos  logrado  tan 
lueno  como  d  las  once  se  divis6  tierra  aunque  d  lo  lejos  y  nos 
iareci6  tierra  muy  alta  y  nevada  :  d  las  doce  observaron  y  nos 
lallamos  segun  nos  dijo  el  segundo  piloto  D  n  Estevan  en  48  gra- 
os  y  52  minutos,  y  el  sefior  capitan  dijo  que  en  la  misma  altura 
ue  ayer  de  48  grados  cabales :  por  la  tarde  se  cerr6  de  espesa 


1 66 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


neblina  por  la  costa  de  inodo  que  apenas  se  divisaba  la  costa  al 
pouerse  cl  sol,  y  fud  calmando  el  viento  de  tal  tnanera  que  al 
anochecer  estavamos  en  calma  que  dur6  toda  la  noche. 

Domingo  siete  de  Agosto  amanecimos  con  la  misma  calma  que 
hubo  de  noche  y  cerrado  de  una  espesa  neblina  que  nada  sc  vela 
ni  aun  de  po])a  d  proa  ;  digimos  ambos  misa  y  en  la  del  padre  com- 
•  paiicro  (en  que  huvo  su  platica  de  dotrina)  coniulg6  el  contrama- 
estre.  Kn  todo  el  dia  y  noche  dur6  la  calma  y  la  neblina  que  no 
(lej6  oy  observar ;  esta  tarde  se  vieron  algunos  peces  grandes  que 
parecian  taurones,  pero  dijeron  que  no  lo  eran  y  son  los  primeros 
peces  que  en  la  navegacion  hemos  visto. 

lyUties  ocho  de  Ago?to,  araaneci6  el  dia  nublado  con  ademanes 
de  querer  Hover;  como  d  las  quatro  de  la  manana  empe7.6  d  soplar 
cl  E.  y  salimos  de  la  calma  y  empezamos  d  andar  con  la  proa  a! 
N.  y  N.  N.  E. ,  antes  de  las  ocho  se  cambi6  ei  viento  al  S.  E.  del 
segundo  cuadrante  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  N.  E.  \  al  N.  para  arrimarnos 
d  la  costa,  aunque  el  dia  ha  estado  algo  cerrado  no  dejaron  de  obser- 
var aunque  con  trabajo  y  nos  dijo  el  segundo  piloto  D.  Estevan  que 
nos  hallamos  en  la  altura  de  49  grados  y  5  minutos :  antes  de 
coiner  divisaraos  la  tierra  y  pareci6  ser  tierra  baja  la  que  no  estaba 
muy  retirada  pero  por  el  mucho  nublado  no  se  podia  divisar  bien : 
como  d  las  quatro  de  la  tarde  estavamos  de  ella  como  quatro  leguas 
y  aunque  el  viento  era  lento  poco  d  poco  nos  pudimos  arrimar  y 
estando  como  dos  leguas,  y  aqui  sondearon  varias  veces  y  se  en- 
contr6  fondo  en  24  y  en  22  brazas  :  como  d  las  quatro  vinieron  de 
tierra  tres  canoas  chicas,  en  la  una  venian  quatro  ombres  en  la 
otra  tres  y  en  otra  dos,  y  antes  de  Uegar  d  nosotros  empezaron  d 
gritar  con  ademanes  y  senas  que  nos  fuesemos ;  los  nuestros  Ic . 
hicieron  senas  que  se  arrimasen  sin  miedo  y  les  dieron  d  entender 
que  buscabamos  agua,  pero  alios  6  no  entendieron  6  no  hicieron 
caso  y  se  fueron  para  tierra  y  con  el  poco  viento  que  soplava  nos 
ivamos  arrimando  y  d  las  seis  de  la  tarde  estando  como  una  legua 
de  tierra  sondearon  de  nuevo  y  se  hallo  buen  fondo  en  25  brazas  y 
se  dej6  caer  una  ancla  con  que  se  di6  fondo  en  dicha  hora  y  sc 
par6  del  todo  el  viento  y  nos  quedamos  en  calma  reservando  para 
cl  dia  slguiente  el  saltar  en  tierra  y  plantar  en  ella  el  estandarte 
de  la  santa  cruz  y  tomar  posesion  de  dicha  tierra  en  nombre  de 
nuestro  catolico  monarca  que  Dios  guarde. 

Divisamos  bien  la  tierra  que  es  una  rada  que  se  nombr6  por  ell 
seiior  capitan  la  rada  de  San  Lorenzo  que  tiene  figura  de  una  C,l '°"  ^  ^^^^ 
tierra  baja  muy  pc>blada  de  arboleda  que  no  pudimos  distinguir  '''o  se  red 
que  arboleda  seria.     Este  surgidero  estd  muy  poco  resguardado  de 


los  vient( 
de  San  E 
punta  em 
la  misma 
es  tierra 
Clara  a  c 
para  &u  d 

Como  i 
Lorenzo, 
leda  que 
otra  sierr 
pareci6  q 
y  todos  Ic 

Estand 
vinieron  < 
estuvieroi 
lloros,  los 
setias  si  t( 
para  tiern 
las  cinco 
muchas  s( 
arrimar  y 
do  entre  s 

Estas  cs 
de  Santa 
varas,  ni 
y  son  mas 
tue  los  de 
colores  y  ) 
de  una  qu 
mnque  ta 

Martes  1 
aoche,  el  i 
bs  cerrad 
i  hechar  1 
]  estando 
ireve  rat< 
tomo  cien 
lio  d  ente: 


unos  sot 


Documtttts  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


167 


los  vientos,  hace  dos  puntas  la  una  al  S.  £.  que  se  llani6  la  punta 
de  San  Estevan  k  contemplacion  del  segundo  piloto  y  desde  esta 
punta  empieza  la  tierra  baja  muy  poblada  de  arboleda,  y  corre  de 
la  niisma  manera  de  quatio  6  cinco  leguas  hasta  el  N.  O.  que  ya 
es  tierra  alta  en  donde  tiene  la  otra  punta  que  se  llam6  de  Santa 
Clara  a  cuya  santa  estaraos  haciendo  su  novena  ,oara  prevenir  nos 
para  su  dia.  < 

Como  fiuna  legua  de  la  tierra  muy  b  a  de  dicha  rada  de  San 
Lorenzo,  vimos  una  sierra  muy  alta  igualmente  poblada  de  arbo- 
leda que  la  tierra  baja  y  tras  de  dicha  sierra  divisamos  acia  el  N. 
otra  sierra  mas  alta  con  diferentes  picachos  cubiertos  de  nieve  ;  me 
pareci6  que  esta  rada  ay  solo  resguardo ;  desde  el  N.  O.  al  S.  K. 
y  todos  los  demas  vientos  estdn  abiertos. 

Estando  dando  fondo  en  esta  rada  como  d  las  ocho  de  la  noclie, 
vinieron  otras  tres  canoas  mas  grandes  con  quince  hombres  y  se 
estuvieron  apartados  de  la  fragata  dandonos  gritos  d  modo  de 
lloros,  los  Uamamos  y  se  acercaron  algo  y  les  preguntamos  por 
senas  si  tenian  agua,  no  lo  entendieron  6  no  atendieron  y  se  fueron 
para  tierra,  pero  encontrando  en  el  camino  con  otras  dos  volvieron 
las  cinco  y  se  arrimaron  como  d  tiro  de  fusil  del  barco  y  por 
muchas  seiias  y  gritos  que  les  dieron  de  abordo  no  se  quisieron 
arrimar  y  se  estuvieron  hasta  cerca  de  las  once  de  la  noche  hablan- 
do  entre  sf ,  y  de  tanto  en  tanto  davan  sus  gritos. 

Estas  canoas  no  son  tan  gr^mdes  como  las  que  vimos  en  la  punta 
de  Santa  Margarita,  pues  la  mayor  de  estas  no  pasaria  de  ocho 
raras,  ni  son  de  la  )"!isma  figura  pues  tienen  la  proa  larga  en  canal 
y  son  mas  chatas  de  la  popa  :  los  remos  de  estas  son  mas  curiosos 
que  los  de  aquellos  pues  estdn  bien  labrados  y  pintados  de  varios 
colores  y  formau  una  paleta  que  en  ella  remata  una  punta  de  cerca 
de  una  quarta  de  largo  ;  las  mas  de  estas  canoas  son  de  una  pieza 
lunque  tambien  vimos  algunas  de  piezas  bien  cocidas. 

Martes  nueve  de  Agosto  amaneci6  el  dia  en  calma  como  toda  la 
aoche,  el  dia  algo  claro  por  el  N.  O.  aunque  por  los  demas  rum- 
t)os  cerrado  de  espesa  neblina.     En  quanto  amaneci6  se  di6  mano 
ervando  para  ^hechar  la  lancha  al  agua  d  fin  de  ir  d  tierra  y  clavar  la  santa  cruz, 
el  estandartc  f  estando  en  esta  maniobra  vimos  salir  de  tierra   15  canoas,  y  en 
n  nombre  de  ""^^'^  ^^^^  estuvieron    cerca  nosotros  y  vimos  venian  en  ellas 
tomo  cien  hombres  y  algunas  raugeres  aunque  no  muchas.     Se  les 
ombr6  por  el  ''*^  ^  entender  se  arrimasen  sin  raiedo,  y  se  acercaron  y  comenza- 
a  de   una  C,ff°"  ^  coraerciar  con  nosotros  quanto  traian  en  sus  canoas  que  todo 


la   costa  al 
nera   que  al 

a  calma  que 
lada  se  veia 
el  padre  corn- 
el contrama- 
blingi  que  no 
grandes  que 
los  primeros 


jn   ademanes 
pez6  d  soplar 
n  la  proa  a! 
3  al  S.  E.  del 
ira  arrimarnos 
iron  de  obser 
I.  Estevan  que 
itos :  antes  de 
que  no  estaba 
divisar  bien ; 
iquatro  leguas 
OS  arrimar  3 
veces  y  se  en 
vinieron  de 
ombres  en  la 
empezaron  i 
nuestros  k 
)n  d  entender 
no   hicieron 
soplava  nos 
mo  una  legua 
n  25  brazas  y 
cha  hora  y  se 


OS  distingui 


:seuardadode  ^^^^os  sombreros  de  junco  pintados  como  los  dc  la  punta  de  Santa 


illo  se  reducia  d  pieles  de  nutria  y  de  otros  animales  no  conocidos, 


P 


h\\,''\ 


J 


iM 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


Margarita  solo  que  en  estos  vinios  que  la  copa  piramidal  retsata 
con  una  bola  d  niodo  de  perilla  y  algunos  tegidos  de  un  hilo  muv 
seinejante  al  cafianio  con  sus  flecos  del  mismo  hilo.  Los  uueslros 
les  coni[)rar()n  alguiias  pieles  y  algunos  de  dichos  tegidos  y  sombre 
ros  A  trueijue  de  ropas  de  belduques  y  de  conchas  de  lapa  que 
liavian  los  marineros  recogido  en  las  playas  de  Monte-Rey  y  dd 
Carnielo  y  conocimos  en  estos  indios  grande  aficion  d  dichas  con- 
chas y  i\  los  helduques.  No  se  viercm  en  estos  indios  tegidos  df 
lana  6  pelo  como  en  Santa  Margarita  ;  se  les  vieron  algunos  ptda- 
/OS  de  fierro  y  de  cobre  y  algunos  pedazos  de  cuchillo. 

Observamos  que  estos  indios  son  tan  hien  formados  como  los  de 
Santa  Margarita  pero  no  tan  hien  taj^ados  6  vestidos  como  aquellos: 
se  cubren  estos  con  dichas  pieles  de  nutria  y  otros  aniniales  y  de 
dichos  tegidos  de  hilo  y  trahen  su  esclavina  que  es  de  hilo  de  cor- 
te/a  de  arbol ;  usan  su  pelo  largo.  Las  niugeres  que  vinios  no 
traen  en  el  labio  la  rodeta  que  las  de  Santa  Margarita  per  lo  que 
no  son  tan  mal  parecidas  como  aquellas. 

Como  d  las  seis  de  la  manana  estando  ya  la  lancha  d  la  agua  y 
pronta  para  ir  d  tierra  se  levant6  el  viento  O.  y  se  repar6  que  nos 
hechava  d  tierra  arrastrando  la  ancla  ;  luego  mand6  el  senor  capi- 
tan  levar  la  dicha  ancla  para  ponernos  d  la  vela  e  ir  bordeaiuln 
mientras  iva  la  lancha  a  tierra  y  volvia,  pero  ei  muclio  viento  y 
niarejada  por  instantes  nos  hechava  sobre  la  tierra  :  y  visto  y  el 
evidente  peligro  en  que  estavamos  de  perdernos,  tom6  d  buen  par- 
tido  el  seiior  capitan  perder  la  ancla  y  calabrote  y  asi  mand6  cortar 
este  y  luego  se  liizo  a  la  vela  poniendo  la  proa  al  S.  O.  i  S.  y  coii 
mucho  trabajo  pudimos  montar  una  punta  de  piedra  que  sale  una 
legua  d  la  mar  ;  rebasada  la  punta  y  apartados  ya  de  la  tierra  como 
tres  leguas  fue  tanto  el  viento  y  niarejada  que  fu6  preciso  aferrar 
todas  la,4  velas  y  quedarnos  con  sola  la  trinquetilla  para  p-^'l^r 
subir  d  bordo  la  lancha  y  estando  en  esta  faena  vino  un  golpe  de 
mar  que  di6  d  la  lancha,  que  de  milagro  no  la  perdimos  y  con  ella 
algunos  marineros  qxie  estaban  en  ella.  En  quanto  estuvo  la 
lancha  arriba  alargaron  las  velas  y  se  puso  la  proa  al  S.  S.  O. .  por 
instantes  soplava  mas  fuerte  el  viento  y  era  mayor  la  niarejada, 
Al  medio  dia  pudieron  observar  y  nos  dijo  el  senor  capitan  que 
nos  hallamos  eu  49  grados  y  12  ininutos:  por  la  tarde  fu6afiojando 
el  viento  de  modo  que  por  la  noche  ya  calmo. 

Miercoles  diez  de  Agosto  amanecimos  con  la  misma  calma  que 
tuvimos  todfi  la  noche  con  el  dia  toldado  aunque  sin  la  acostuni- 
brada  neblina,  con  que  pudimos  divisar  la  costa  aunque  muy  apar- 
tada  cerca  de  quince  leguas.     Pudimos  ambos   celebrar  el   santo 


Donimrnlsjrom  the  Sutro  Collection. 


1 60 


lidal  reouta 
in  hilo  muv 

,os  y  sombre- 
ie  la  pa  que 
te-Rey  y  del 
dichas  con 
■5  tegidos  (If 
Igunos  peila- 

como  los  de 
nio  aquellos; 
i males  y  de 
hilo  de  cor- 
le  vinios  no 
I  por  lo  que 


d  la  agua  y 
jar6  que  110s 
;1  senor  capi- 
r  border. ndn 
10  vieiito  y 
y  visto  y  el 

k  buen  par- 
nand6  cortar 
'.  i  S.  y  con 
[ue  sale  una 
1  tierra  como 
eciso  aferrar 

para  p^''pr 
iin  golpe  (le 
iS  y  con  ella 
.0  estuvo  la 
3.  S.  O.,  por 
a  marejada. 
capital!  que 
fu6  afiojando 


I  calma  que 
la   ucostuni 
te  muy  apar 
rar  el   santo 


sacrificio  de  la  misa  a!  glorioso  San  Lorenzo  ;  todo  el  dia  se  inan- 
tuvp  nublado,  sin  dejarse  ver  el  sol,  por  lo  (|ue  no  se  pudo  observar 
y  sigui6  la  cahna  todo  el  dia  y  noclie. 

Jueves  once  de  Agosto  anianecio  con  la  misnia  calnia  y  el  dia 
tanibien  nublado  ;  conio  d  las  nueve  de  la  nianana  al)ri6  el  dia  y 
sali6  el  sol  y  divisanios  por  e!  H.  un  cerro  muy  alto  distanle  de 
donde  estavamos  como  18  legnas  y  nos  parecia  tenia  nianchones 
colorados  rjue  parecen  barrancas  y  dijeron  algunos  si  seria  nieve  6 
algun  cerro  pegado  d  la  playa  nieganos  de  arena  :  d  diclia  hora 
nos  entr6  algo  de  viento  N.  O. ;  d  las  doce  observaron  y  nos  dijo 
el  seiior  capitan  que  nos  hallamos  en  4H  grados  y  9  minutos  :  por 
la  tarde  refresc6  algo  el  viento  y  en  todas  las  horas  andamos  tres 
niillas  y  con  esto  noi  vamos  otra  vez  arrimando  d  la  costa  y  vemos 
''laramente  que  dicho  cerro  alto  estd  todo  nevado  y  por  los  lados 
fl'j  il  al  N.  E.  y  S.  E.  tierra  mas  adentro  que  dicho  cerro  se  ven 
tambien  buenos  nianchones  de  tierra  nevada  ;  por  ser  serro  tan 
elevado  y  tan  sefialado  por  la  figura  que  hace  de  mar  adentro  no 
quiso  el  senor  capit?.n  se  quedase  sin  nombre  y  asi  le  llam6  el  serro 
alto  nevado  de  Santa  rosalia  :  como  el  viento  era  N.  O.  tan  favor- 
able todo  el  dia  vamos  con  la  proa  al  E.  con  los  deseos  de  ver  si 
podemos  estar  manana  cerca  la  tierra  para  saltar  y  fijar  en  ella  la 
Santa  Cruz  ;  prosigui6  dicho  viento  hayta  la  media  noche  que  se 
cambi6  al  S.  S.  E. 

Viernes  doce  de  Agosto,  amaneci6  e^te  dia  lloviendo  y  tan  cer- 
rado  de  espesa  neblina  que  d  quatro  pasos  no  nos  veiamos  unos  d 
otros  :  despues  de  media  noche  nos  entr6  el  S.  S.  E.  bien  fueite 
y  con  marejada  del  S.  O.  corriendo  con  la  proa  al  E.  para  el  serro 
alto  nevado  de  Santa  Rosalia  ;  en  quanto  amaneci6  ya  estabamos 
muy  cerca  pero  por  la  neblina  y  agua  nada  se  veia.  Receloso  el 
senor  capitan  de  no  dar  impensadament^-  d  tierra  mando  virar  de 
bordo  y  poner  la  proa  al  S.  O.  para  apartarnos  del  peligro  hasta 
tanto  que  abriese  algo  el  tiempo  :  aunque  ambos  estavamos  con 
vivos  deseos  de  celebrar  oy  mJsa  y  todos  de  oirla  por  ser  el  dia  de 
la  gloriosa  Santa  Clara  d  quien  conclulmos  este  dia  su  novenario, 
pero  no  fu6  dable  ni  siquiera  decir  una  por  la  agui  viento  y  mare- 
jada fuerte  y  estraordinarios  balances  por  lo  que  nos  conformamos 
con  la  voluntad  de  Dios  ofreciendoles  nuestros  buenos  deseos.  A 
las  once  del  dia  cambi6  el  viento  al  O.  S.  O.  y  volvieron  d  birar 
poniendo  la  proa  hacia  la  costa,  continuando  el  dia  cerrado  sin 
dejarse  ver  el  sol  en  todo  ^*1  y  gastaron  la  tarde  y  noche  en  dar 
bordos  para  no  apartarnos  mucho  de  la  cobta. 


i 


I7Q 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


Sabado  trece  de  Agosto  amanecio  el  dia  bien  nublado  auntjue 
siti  la  neblina  baja  nus  hallamos  d  la  vista  de  la  costa  coino  tres  6 
quatro  Icguas  de  la  tierra  que  algo  se  dejava  ver  antique  no  del 
todo  pf)rque  d  tierra  adentro  estaba  muy  nublada.  La  costa  que 
estavaraos  mirando  es  tierra  baja  y  alguna  de  ella  medianamente 
alta  muy  poblada  de  arboleda  desde  el  serro  nevado  de  Santa 
Rosalia  que  ya  queda  atras  hacia  el  N.:  por  toda  la  tarde  estanios 
divisando  varias  y  grandes  liumaderas  en  que  conocimos  estar 
publada  la  costa  :  amauecinios  con  el  viento  O.  que  nos  entr6 
ano<'he  llevando  la  proa  al  S.  E.  \  al  S.  aunque  despues  se  paso 
al  S.  E.  para  ir  costeando  d  ver  si  se  puede  divisar  alguna  ense- 
nada  para  fondear  pero  el  viento  fue  poco  d  poco  aflojando  :  conio 
d  las  diez  se  mud6  el  viento  al  S.  O.  y  cmpe/.o  areciar  siendo  con- 
trario  para  costear  y  por  estar  sobre  la  co.sta  y  poder  evitar  el  peli- 
gro  se  puso  la  proa  al  S.  y  S.  S.  O. :  no  di6  lugar  lo  muy  nublado 
del  dia  d  observar,  poco  despues  de  las  doce  ya  no  veiamos  la 
tierra  por  lo  mucho  que  nos  hemos  apartado.  Esta  madrugada 
que  se  descubri6  bien  el  N. ,  demarco  el  senor  capitan  bien  la 
tierra  y  me  dice  que  segun  su  observacion  viene  d  correr  la  costa 
desde  el  scrro  nevado  de  Santa  Rosalia  hasta  San  Bias  ochocientas 
leguas  rumbo  del  N.  O.  i  al  N.  y  S.  E.  \  al  S. 

Domingo  catorce  de  Agosto  amaneci6  el  dia  muy  nublado  de 
grandes  nubes  y  de  tatilo  en  tanto  entravan  sus  chuvascos  con  sus 
aguaceritos,  la  marejada  que  nos  venia  del  O.  causaba  bastanles 
balances  y  tales  que  no  podianios  tenernos  en  pi6  por  cuyo  motive 
no  fue  dable  decir  niisa  :  como  d  las  siete  de  la  mafiana  abrieroii 
algo  las  nubes  y  pudinios  ver  algo  de  la  costa  que  estariamos  della 
como  siete  6  oclio  leguas.  A  las  ocho  se  llam6  el  viento  al  N.  O. 
muy  lento  y  variable  :  poco  antes  de  las  doce  sali6  el  sol  y  pudi- 
eron  observar  aunqne  no  d  todo  satisfaccion  porque  estando  en  ello 
vino  un  chuvasco  y  se  tap6  el  sol,  pero  por  lo  poco  que  lodivisaron 
nos  dijo  el  sefior  capitan  que  nos  hallamos  en  46  grades  y  8  minu- 
tes :  aunque  por  la  tarde  se  aclaro  algo  el  dia  ya  no  pudimos  divi- 
sar la  costa  :  al  anochecer  se  llam6  el  viento  al  N.  y  andavamos 
tres  niillas  y  media  por  hora  llevando  la  proa  al  S.  S.  O. 

Lunes  quince  de  Agosto,  amaneci6  el  dia  bien  claro  saliendo  el 
sol  con  el  misnio  viento  N.  fresco  con  bastante  marejada  del  O. 
que  causaba  bastantes  balances  de  modo  que  juzgamos  quedarnos 
sin  misa  ;  se  anim6  mi  Padre  companero  y  la  dijo  y  la  oimos  los 
demas  ;  en  ella  coniulgaron  el  senor  capitan  el  cirujano  y  tres 
marineros.  Al  salir  el  sol  se  divi36  bien  clara  la  costa  de  la  que 
distavamos  quatro  6  cinco  leguas  de  la   que  divisaraos   bastante 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


171 


ido  aun(]ue 
coino  tres  6 
jue  no  del 
I  costa  que 
dianamente 
lo  de  Santa 
rde  estanios 
:iinos   estar 

nos  entr6 
tes  se  paso 
iguna  ense- 
mdo  :  conio 
siendo  con- 
'itar  el  peli- 
uy  nublado 

veiamos  la 
madrugada 
an  bien  la 
er  la  costa 
ochocientas 

lublado  de 
cos  con  sus 
bastantes 
uyo  motive 
^a  abrieron 
iamos  della 
:o  al  N.  O. 
sol  y  pudi- 
indo  en  ello 
lodivisaron 
s  y  8  minu- 
iimos  divi- 
andavamos 
D. 

saliendo  el 
ada  del  O. 
i  quedarnos 
a  oimos  los 
ano  y  tres 
a  de  la  que 
)s  bastaule 


tranio  que  demarc6  el  senor  capitan  y  le  demoro  el  curso  de  ella  al 
N.  N.  O.  al  S.  S.  E. ;  es  tierra  baja  y  en  partes  levanla  algo  toda 
poblada  de  aiboleda  que  nos  parecian  pinos  pero  no  se  diviso 
nieve  :  desde  las  tres  de  la  niannna  que  se  divis6  la  tierra  hasta 
las  ocho  se  llevo  la  proa  al  S.  j  al  S.  O.  y  d  las  ocho  se  governo 
al  S.  S.  O.  A  las  doce  observaron  los  sefiores  y  nos  dijo  el  senor 
capitan  que  nos  hallamos  en  44  grade  .i  y  35  ir.inutos. 

Toda  la  manana  hemos  estado  costeando  conio  tres  legnas  dis- 
tante  de  la  costa  y  por  la  tarde  liicimos  lo  misnio,  viendo  con  mas 
claridad  la  costa  porque  no  estuvo  tan  ahumada  quanto  mas  baja- 
vamos  al  S.  era  la  tierra  mas  baja  en  la  playa  vimos  algunas  mesas 
sin  arboleda  pero  con  mucho  sacate  al  parecer  ;  vimos  varias 
barrancas  blancas  tajadas  d  la  mar  y  algunas  cafiadas  6  abras  que 
corren  N.  O. ,  S.  O. :  como  d  las  seis  se  repararon  que  la  tierra 
salia  por  la  proa  al  S.  y  luego  mandu  el  senor  capitan  poner  la 
proa  al  S.  S.  O.,  hasta  las  ocho  que  ya  se  governo  al  S.  y  se 
llev6  este  rumbo  toda  la  iioche  con  viento  tan  fresco  que  al  anoche- 
cer  caminavamos  cinco  y  media  millas  por  hora. 

Martes  diez  y  seis  de  Agosto  atnaneciu  el  dia  bien  claro  pero  los 
orizontes  totalmente  cerrados  de  espesa  neblina,  y  asi  no  se  diviso 
tierra  en  todo  el  dia,  aora  sea  por  lo  dicho  que  se  mantuvieron 
cerrados  los  orizontes,  aora  sea  porque  estemos  apartados  della. 
Amanecinios  con  el  mismo  viento  N.  fresco,  aunque  en  cuanlo 
subi6  el  sol  calm6  algo  ;  por  la  maiianita  se  puso  la  proa  al  S.  S. 
E.  que  habianios  llevado  toda  la  noche  al  S. :  como  d  las  nueve 
estavamos  quasi  en  calnia  y  asi  estuvimos  (juasi  todo  el  dia  con  tal 
qual  ventolina,  en  dicha  hora  se  levant6  la  espesa  neblina  que  por 
la  manana  estava  por  los  orizontes  y  nos  serro  de  tal  manera  que  d 
pocos  pasos  nada  veiamos.  A  las  doce  se  dej6  ver  el  sol  entre  la 
neblina  lo  muy  preciso  para  la  observacion  que  segun  nos  dijo  el 
senor  capitan  le  salio  la  latitud  del  N.  de  42  grados  y  38  minutos: 
y  atendiendo  d  esta  observacion  y  lo  que  se  refiere  en  el  viaje  del 
general  Don  Sebastian  Vizcaino,  conjeturamos  que  por  aqui  viene 
a  estar  el  cabo  bianco  de  San  Sebastian  y  aquel  famoso  rio  que 
descubri6  Martin  de  Aguilar,  porque  aunque  este  lo  ponen  aquellos 
antiguos  diarios  en  la  altura  de  43  grados  pero  como  se  ha  obser- 
vado  que  en  los  mismos  parajes  donde  entonces  observaron  se  ha 
hallado  menor  iatitud,  por  los  nuevos  y  mas  arreglados  instrumen- 
tos,  se  debe  creer  que  el  cabo  bianco  y  dicho  rio  han  de  estar  en 
menor  altura  que  la  que  senalaban  los  antiguos,  y  asi  puede  ser 
estemos  al  paralelo  de  dicho  cabo  aunque  las  neblinas  no  dan 
lugar  k  divisar  U  tierra-     Poco  antes  de  media  noche  nos  entr6  N. 


i! 

1 


il« 


m 


172 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  Calijornia. 


bien  recio  que  nos  dur6  toda  la  noche  y  con  L\  sc  puso  la  proa  al 
S.  \  al  S.  O.  y  fu6  apretando  de  tal  manera  (jue  solo  se  pudo  man- 
teller  la  fraf,>,ita  coti  solo  el  triuquete  y  se  andava  bastante. 

Miercoles  diez  y  siete  de  Agosto  amanecio  el  dia  imiy  cerrado  dc 
neblina  como  los  antecedeutes  y  con  el  N.  bien  fuerte  con  la  proa 
al  S. :  as{  como  empcz6  A  levantar  el  sol  fu6  abriendo  la  neblina  y 
se  dej6  ver  cste  mayor  luminar  ;  siguio  la  neblina  en  los  orizontes 
hasta  cerca  medio  dia  que  se  aclararon,  pero  no  vimos  tierra  en 
todo  el  dia  y  asi  sin  duda  estaremos  muy  apartados  della.  Al 
medio  dia  se  hizo  la  observacion  y  segun  nos  dijo  el  senor  capitan 
nos  hallamos  en  la  latitud  de  41  grados  y  27  minutos  :  hasta  esta 
hora  siendo  asi  que  andamos  con  solo  el  velacho  de  trinquete  cnni- 
inamos  mas  de  quatro  millas  por  hora.  Despues  de  las  docc 
mand6  el  sefior  capitan  poner  la  proa  al  S.  S.  E.  para  la  costa  :  el 
viento  N.  se  mantuvo  (aunque  no  con  tanta  fuerza  como  por  la 
mafiana)  esta  tarde,  la  noche  en  que  Uevamos  la  proa  para  la 
costa. 

Jueves  diez  y  ocho  de  Agosto  amanecimos  con  el  dia  bien 
cerrado  de  neblina  que  ^  pocos  pasos  no  nos  veiamos  unos  d  otros: 
bastante  trabajo  para  una  navegacion  en  costa  no  conocida,  que  si 
hubiere  ysla  6  bajos,  !io  quedara  quien  diera  razon  de  nosotros  : 
esta  madrugada  calm6  algo  el  vi«nto  N.  y  asi  se  mantuvo  todo  el 
dia  aunque  no  dejamos  de  andar  algo  con  la  proa  al  S.  E. :  se  man- 
tuvo el  dia  cerrado  de  neblina  por  lo  que  no  se  pudo  okservar  ni 
divisar  la  tierra. 

Viernes  diez  y  nueve  de  Agosto  amancci6  con  la  misma  neblina 
de  los  dias  antecedeutes  y  con  tal  rocio  que  parecia  haber  Uovido  y 
con  la  calma  de  toda  la  noche  y  asi  se  ha  mantenido  todo  el  dia 
con  tal  qual  ventolina  y  con  la  obscuridad  que  por  la  manana  sin 
dejar.se  ver  el  sol  en  todo  el  dia. 

Savado  veinte  de  Agosto  amaneci6  con  la  misma  neblina  y  rocio, 
con  la  calma  y  se  mantuvo  asi  todo  el  dia  con  tal  qual  ventolina 
aunque  estuvo  todo  el  dia  cerrado  de  neblina,  poco  antes  de  las 
doce  entre  la  misma  nel)lina  se  dejo  ver  el  sol  y  aunque  con  trabajo 
observ6  el  sefior  capitan  y  nos  dijo  noc  hallavamos  en  la  altura  de 
39  grados  y  48  minutos. 

D(imingo  veinte  y  uno  de  Agosto  amaneci6  el  dia  con  la  misma 
neblina  que  los  antecedeutes  con  buenos  rocios  que  parecen  agua- 
ceros  y  con  demasiado  frio  de  lo  que  ha  resultado  de  las  mojadas 
antecedeutes  y  frios  que  la  mayor  parte  de  la  tripulacion  se  halla 
imposibilitada  por  el  accidente  del  escorbuto  de  que  se  hallan 
qua.si  todos  picados  y  algunos  bien  agravados  :  yo  tambien  me  he 


la  proa   al 
pudo  man- 
ite. 

'  cerrado  dc 
:on  la  i)n)a 
a  neblina  y 
)S  orizonlfs 
tierra  eii 
i  delta.  Al 
Fior  capital! 
hasta  esta 
iquete  cani- 
e  las  docc 
la  costa  :  d 
inio  por  la 
roa  para  la 

el  dia  bien 
tios  d  otros: 
:ida,  que  si 
e  nosotros  : 
uvo  todo  el 
E. :  se  niaii- 
Dbservar  iii 

tna  neblina 
er  llovido  y 
todo  el  dia 
nianana  sin 

!ina  y  rocio, 
1  ventolina 
ites  de  las 
con  trabajo 
la  altura  do 

1  la  misma 
ecen  agua- 
is  mojadas 
•n  se  halla 
se  hallan 
)ien  me  he 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


'73 


sentido  malo  de  la  boca  que  no  he  podido  oy  celebrar  pcro  mi 
Padre  conipaficro  dijo  misa  6  hizo  su  platica  :  hasta  las  once  del 
dia  estuviinos  en  calnia  y  dicha  hora  nos  ontr')  un  poco  de  viento 
S.  E.  auiKiue  suave  y  contrario  no  obstante  p  .sieron  la  proa  al  Iv. 
N.  E.  para  la  costa.  A  las  doce  se  descubrio  algo  el  sol  y  pudi- 
eron  aunque  con  trabajo  observar  y  segun  nos  dijo  el  senor  capitan 
nos  hallamos  en  la  latitud  del  N.  de  39  grados  y  30  niiiiutos  ;  el 
dicho  viento  i\x&  tan  lento  que  por  la  tarde  ya  estavanios  en  cahna 
y  la  misma  tuvimos  toda  la  noche. 

Lunes  veinte  y  dos  de  Agosto  amaneci6  con  la  misma  calma  de 
anoche,  el  dia  algo  nublado  pero  sin  la  neblina  ordinaria  :  al  salir 
el  sol  vimos  la  costa  que  estavanios  de  ella  como  seis  6  side  leguas 
y  divisamos  la  cumbre  de  la  costa  entre  la  neblina  hacia  el  N. 
como  diez  leguas  de  distancia  se  divisaba  un  cabo  alto  y  del  cabo 
para  arriba  no  veiamos  tierra  por  lo  que  hicimos  juicio  que  tuerce 
alii  la  costa  para  otro  rumbo.  Este  cabo  segun  el  sentir  del  senor 
capitan  es  el  cabo  Mendozino  el  qual  demarc6  al  N.  N.  O.  ciirro 
grados  para  el  N.  Desde  dicho  cabo  rumbo  al  S.  como  dier 
leguas  es  toda  tierra  alta  con  diferentes  abras  que  nos  parecian  ser 
canadas,  toda  la  tierra  muy  poblada  de  arboleda  que  nos  parecian 
pinos.  Despues  de  dicha  tierra  alta  hacia  el  S.  divisamos  como 
cinco  leguas  de  costa  no  tan  alta  y  la  demas  que  se  sigue  ya  pare- 
cia  tierra  mas  baja  y  toda  poblada  de  arboleda  :  poco  despues  de 
estar  mirando  dicha  costa  se  levant6  la  espesa  neblina  que  la  cubrio 
y  ya  no  la  pudimos  ver  mas.  Antes  de  las  siete  de  la  manana 
empez6  d  soplar  el  S.  E.  y  se  vieron  precisados  d  poner  la  proa  al 
S.  S.  O.  desviandonos  otra  vez  de  la  costa,  porque  dicho  viento  no 
daba  lugar  d  otra  cosa  :  d  las  nueve  abri6  algo  el  dia  y  d  las  doce 
pudieron  observar  y  segun  nos  dijo  el  senor  capitan  nos  hallamos 
en  la  altura  de  39  grados  y  46  minutos. 

Y  asi  hemos  de  subir  desde  ayer  16  minutos  y  esto  ha  sido  por- 
(jue  ayer  tarde  y  por  la  noche  llevamos  la  proa  al  E.  N.  E.  y  con 
las  ventolinas  aunque  suaves  algunas  leguas  andariamos  y  asi 
viene  d  resultar  esta  mayor  altura.  Despues  de  la  observacion  dc 
este  dia  nos  dijo  el  senor  capitan  que  segun  sus  cuentas  y  compute 
que  hacia  el  cabo  Mendocino  que  dejamos  arriba  estd  en  la  latitud 
de  40  grados  con  la  diferencia  de  pocos  minutos  :  las  ventolinas  de 
por  la  manana  ban  continuado  todo  el  dia  con  la  misma  lentitud 
hasta  ponerse  el  sol  que  nos  quedamos  en  calma  y  lo  misnio  por  la 
noche. 

Martes  veinte  y  tres  de  Agosto  amaneci6  el  dia  tapado  con  la 
neblina  no  obstante  dijeron  algunos  que  d  lo  lejos  entre  la  neblina 


;f  ■'  ■ 


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n 


4^ 


P 


m 


JJistorical  Socuty  of  Southern  California. 


q'te  por  aquel  lado  no  estava  tan  cerrado  divtsavan  la  tierra. 
Dcspucs  (If  las  seis  volviA  k  levantarse  la  ventolina  del  S.  S.  K.  y 
sc  liuho  (Ic  poner  la  proa  al  S.  O. ;  fud  poco  d  poco  refrescando  y 
se  llain6  al  S.  E.  ^  al  S. ;  poco  se  ha  dejado  ver  el  sol  y  al  medio 
(lia  estuvo  mas  tapado  que  no  se  pudo  obscrvar  :  la  ventolina  ceso 
al  poncrse  el  sol  y  nos  quedamos  en  calma.  Viendo  que  estas 
calmiis  van  coiitiiiuando  y  que  el  tienipo  nos  es  t&n  contrario  y  que 
los  enfermos  van  empeorando  y  aumentandose  el  numero  de  cllos 
se  determino  liacer  una  novena  d  nuestra  SeHora  de  Talpa  implor- 
ando  su  i)atrocinio,  dcspnes  de  concluida  su  sacratisima  corona 
dimos  principio  d  ella.  Kn  breve  esperimentanios  su  scberano 
patrociiiio,  pucs  poco  d  poco  despues  de  las  ocho  empe7.6  d  soplar 
el  Iv.  autKiue  suave  y  duro  hasta  despues  de  media  noche  que  se 
cainl)i6  al  N.  ().  bien  fresco  que  dur6  hasta  las  tres  de  la  madru- 
gnda  (pie  se  llamo  al  N.  bastante  fresco  y  se  llev6  toda  la  nocbe  la 
proa  al  S.  K.  \  al  K.  con  la  que  anduvimos  bien  gracias  d  Dios  y 
a  la  Virgen  Santisima  d  quicn  se  le  ofreci6  cantar  una  misa,  el  dia 
de  su  natividad  si  nos  deja  llegar  con  bien. 

Miercoles  veinte  y  cuatro  de  Agosto  amaneci6  con  el  mismo 
viento  N.  y  el  dia  algo  claro  qite  por  la  mananita  se  dej6  ver  el 
sol.  Pudiinos  ambos  celebrar  el  santo  sacrificio  de  la  misa  y  es- 
tando  en  la  segunda  misa  se  empez6  d  nublar  amenazando  Hover, 
como  en  efecto  d  lo  lejos  se  veia  estar  lloviendo,  aunque  no  lleg6  i 
nosotros  la  agua,  con  el  nublado  calm6  algo  el  viento  y  nos  entr6 
una  gran  niarejada  que  nos  balance6  bien.  Al  medio  dia  no  se 
pudo  observar  por  lo  muy  nublado  que  no  se  dejo  ver  el  sol,  siguio 
la  tarde  y  noche  la  calma  y  marejada. 

Jueves  veinte  y  cinco  de  Agosto  amaneci6  con  la  misma  calma  y 
marejada  y  continuos  balances  que  hemos  tenido  toda  la  noche  y 
cerrado  el  dia  con  espesa  neblina  :  d  las  once  de  la  matiana  nos 
entr6  la  ventolina  calmosa  del  E.  S.  E.  6  S.  F,.,  y  por  ello  pusi- 
eron  la  proa  al  N.  E.  para  no  apartarnos  mucho  de  la  costa  que  no 
sabemos  que  tan  lejos  la  tenemos.  Al  medio  dia  se  descubri6  algo 
el  sol  y  aunque  con  trabajo  observ6  el  seiior  capitan  y  nos  dijo  nos 
hallamos  en  la  altura  de  38  grados  y  32  minutes.  La  ventolina 
del  E.  S.  E.  nos  dur6,  y  nos  tuvo  en  calma  hasta  las  siete  de  la 
noche  que  nos  entr6  N.  N.  O.  fresco,  con  el  que  empezamos  i 
andar  y  antes  de  las  nueve  ya  se  cambi6  al  N.  O.  que  dur6  hasta 
por  la  matiana  y  asi  con  este  viento  en  popa  se  anduvo  bien  con  la 
proa  al  S.  E.  i  al  E.  d  fin  de  arrimarnos  d  la  cnsta. 

Viernes  veinte  y  seis  de  Agosto  amaueci6  muy  nublado  y  cerrado 
de  espesa  neblina  que  d  un  tiro  de  fusil  nada  se  veia.     Como  d  las 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


m 


in  la  tierra. 
;1  S.  S.  E.  y 
jfrescando  y 
1  y  al  medio 
ntolina  ceso 
o  que  estas 
itrario  y  que 
lero  de  ellos 
alpa  iinplor- 
sima  corona 
su  scberano 
6/6  d  soplar 
loclie  que  sc 
e  la  madru- 
i.  la  nocbe  la 
ias  &  Dios  y 
misa,  el  dia 

n  el  misino 
dej6  ver  el 
.  misa  y  es- 
ando  Hover, 
le  no  lleg6  k 
y  nos  entr6 
)  dia  no  se 
;1  sol,  siguio 

^ma  calma  y 

la  noche  y 

manana  nos 

or  ello  pusi- 

costa  que  no 

scubri6  algo 

nos  dijo  nos 

I  ventolina 

siete  de  la 

ipezamos  i 

dur6  hasta 

bien  con  la 

lo  y  cerrado 
Como  4  las 


caatro  de  la  mailana  se  cambi6  el  viento  que  tuvimos  anoche  al  O. 
N.  O.  y  s«  puso  la  proa  al  K.  S.  £. :  esta  manana  vinios  nuichus 
pajaros  chicos  y  graudes  y  patos  y  uuichas  ballenas  no  iiuiy  apar- 
tadas  de  la  fragata,  senales  todas  de  no  estar  muy  apartados  de  la 
costa  y  segun  la  observacion  de  ayer  y  lo  mucho  que  esta  noche 
betnos  andado  hacemos  juicio  que  no  estamos  niuy  lejos  del  puertu 
de  San  Francisco  :  \yox  la  mananita  nos  calni6  el  O.  N.  O.  y  coiuu 
i  las  nueve  nos  entr6  el  N.  O.  bien  fresco  ;  como  d  las  die/,  dijeron 
se  divisava  la  tierra  por  la  proa  no  muy  lejos,  la  que  pude  divisar 
con  algun  trabajo  por  causa  de  la  espesa  neblina,  y  el  senor  capi- 
tan  dijo  que  eran  los  Farallones  de  San  Francisco,  los  prinieros 
bajando  de  N.  S.:  y  dice  ay  dos  ringleras  de  ellos  como  ciuco 
leguas  apartados  de  la  costa  6  tierra  firme,  tendidas  las  dos  ringle- 
ras de  N.  O.  S.  B. ,  como  d  legua  y  media  d  dos  de  distaucia  la 
una  ringlera  de  la  otra. 

La  primera  ringlera  que  vimos  bien  clara  y  pasamos  como  una 
legua  de  ellos  que  son  los  que  estan  hacia  el  N. ,  son  siete  farallon- 
citos  no  muy  grandes  ni  iguales  ;  el  de  en  medio  es  mas  elevadu 
que  los  demas,  pero  todos  entre  si  estdn  scgregados  ;  de  estos 
parece  que  no  hacen  mencion  las  historias  ui  el  viaje  del  general 
Don  Sebastian  Vizcaino.  Para  desviarnos  destos  pusieron  la  proa 
al  S.  i  al  S.  K. :  al  medio  dia  los  dejamos  ya  por  la  popa  que  si  se 
hubiera  descubierto  el  sol,  era  buena  ocasion  de  notar  de  fijo  su 
tatitud.  A  la  misma  hora  del  medio  dia  empezamos  d  divisar  los 
segundos,  son  tambien  siete  bien  altos,  que  al  parecer  estan  conti- 
guos  y  visto  de  lejos  parecen  una  isla  con  siete  picachos,  unos  mas 
altos  que  otros  y  cojen  el  tramo  de  como  una  legua  6  de  circumfer- 
encia.  De  estos  parece  que  habla  el  Almirante  Cabrera  Bueno, 
que  de  ellos  dice  :  son  buena  senal  para  conocer  el  puerto  de  San 
Francisco,  pues  estos  siete  segun  me  dice  el  senor  capitan  Don 
Juan  Perez  estan  tendidos  enfrente  la  punta  de  Reyes  y  al  N.  de 
ella,  en  la  encenada  que  dicha  punta  empieza  d  formar,  estd  el 
dicho  puerto. 

Los  farallones  que  en  la  espedicion  de  tierra  en  la  que  yo  iba  el 
ano  pasado  de  1769,  y  los  divisamos  el  dia  31  de  Octubre,  como 
digo  en  mi  diario  son  distintos  de  todos  estos  que  ahora  he  visto, 
pues  estos  no  era  dable  el  verlos  del  paraje  de  donde  lo  divis6  la 
espedicion  de  tierra  que  fu6  la  playa  de  la  encenada  del  otro  lado 
quasi  opuesto  d  dicha  punta  de  Reyes  ;  pues  desde  dicha  playa  los 
demarcamos  y  nos  demoraban  los  farallones  que  nosotros  entonces 
vimos  al  O.  i  S.  O.  y  la  punta  de  Reyes  nos  demoraba  al  O.  ^ 
al  N.  O. ,  que  van  d  decir  dos  quartas  ;  y  estos  que  ahora   hemos 


M 


m 


\  I 


<7^ 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


visto,  corren  6  estan  tendtdos  de  N.  O. ,  S.  E.  mas:  en  la  espedi 
cion  de  tierra  quando  demarcamos  los  farallones  estavanios  dentro 
de  la  cncenada  6  bolson,  solo  distantes  de  la  bocana  de  los  dos 
gratides  esteros  como  tres  legtias  y  teniamos  d  la  vista  los  siete 
farallones  que  distaban  de  nosotros  como  legua  y  media  y  la  putita 
de  Reyes  distava  por  el  ayre  como  diez  y  ocho  leguns,  y  distando 
estas  dos  Cordilleras  de  farallones  segun  el  sentir  del  sefior  capitan 
Don  Juan  Ptrez  como  cinco  leguas  de  la  costa  y  punta  de  reyos  se 
sigue  que  la  espedicion  de  tierra  quando  descubri6  en  la  gratult 
encenada  los  siete  farallones  de  que  hablan  los  diarios  habian  de 
estar  distantes  de  estos  que  hoy  hemos  visto  veinte  y  tres  leguas  y 
de  consiguiente  no  pueden  ser  los  mismos,  sino  otros  distintos  y 
que  entonces  no  pudieron  ser  vistos  estos  de  la  espedicion  de  tierra. 
Noto  esto  para  evitar  toda  equivocacion. 

Sabado  veinte  y  siete  de  Agosto  amanecimos  con  el  mismo  viento 
favorable  N.  O.  bien  fresco  que  logramos  toda  la  noche  pasada  : 
como  d  las  seis  de  la  mafiana  estavamos  enfrente  de  la  punta  de 
ano  nuevo  y  luego  empezamos  d  entrar  d  la  encenada  de  Monte- Rey 
en  cuyo  puerto  dimos  fondo  como  d  las  quatro  de  la  tarde,  aunque 
no  desembarcamos  hasta  el  dia  siguiente  despues  de  haber  dicho 
arabos  misa  :  gracias  d  Dios  y  d  su  purisima  madre  que  nos  ha 
dejado  llegar  con  toda  felicidad  d  este  puerto  aunque  con  la  pena 
de  no  haberse  logrado  el  principal  fin  de  llegar  hasta  los  sesenta 
grados  de  altura  y  de  saltar  d  tierra  y  plantar  en  ella  el  estandarte  P 
de  la  santa  cruz  :  quiera  su  divina  Magestad  que  este  viaje  sirva  d 
lo  menos  para  mover  el  corazon  de  nuestro  Catolico  Monarca  y  el 
cristiano  celo  del  Excelentisimo  Senor  Virrey,  para  que  con  la 
mayor  luz  que  ahora  se  tendrd  de  estas  costas  y  de  la  buena  gente 
de  que  estan  pobladas,  envien  de  nuevo  otra  espedicion  y  evange- 
licos  operarios  para  plantar  en  ella  nuestra  santa  l€  y  convertir 
aquella  gentilidad  al  gremio  de  la  santa  yglesia;  asi  se  lo  pido  d 
Dios  d  quien  sea  toda  honra  y  gloria.     Amen. 

Este  diario  segun  va  espresado  forme  yo  el  sobre  dicho  Fray 
Juan  Crespi  de  dia  d  dia  en  el  discurso  de  la  navegacion,  escrivien- 
dolo  en  un  libro  segun  ofrecian  los  eventos  ocurentes,  pero  como  d 
veces  el  mal  recado  de  escribir,  d  veces  los  balances  del  barco,  y 
otras  el  mareo  ocasionaban  alguna  diformidad  en  la  letra  y  en  el 
estilo,  despues  de  llegado  d  esta  mision  lo  he  sacado  en  limpio, 
procurando  abreviar  de  palabras  donde  buenamente  se  podia,  pero 
sin  variar,  ni  alterar  d  la  sustancia  de  61  cosa  alguna  :  y  asi  lo 
certifico  y  para  que  conste  lo  firm6  en  esta  mision  de  San  Carlos 
de  Monte- Rey  al  Carmelo  en  5  Octubre  de  1774.  Fray  Juah 
Crespi. 


Documentifrom  the  Sutro  CoUtction. 


'77 


I  la  espedi- 
nios  dentro 

de  los  (los 
:a  los  siete 
J  y  la  puiita 

y  distando 
jfior  capitan 

de  rcyes  se 
J  la  grandt 
J  habian  de 
res  leguas  y 

distintos  y 
on  de  tierra. 

lismoviento 
he   pasada  : 
la   punta  de 
» Monte-Rey 
irde,  auiique 
haber  dicho 
!  que  nos  ha 
con  la  pena 
los  sesenta 
1  estandarte 
viaje  sirva  i 
onarca  y  el 
que  con  la 
juena  geiite 
a  y  evange- 
y   convertir 
ie  lo  pido  d 

dicho  Fray 

n,  escrivien- 

pero  como  d 

del  barco,  y 

etra  y  en  el 

en  limpio, 

podia,  pero 

la  :  y  asi  lo 

San   Carlos 

Fray  Juan 


TRANSLATION. 

Diary  which  I,  Fray  Juan  Crespi,  Missionary  of  the  Apostolic 
College  de  Propaganda  Fide  of  vSan  I'Vrnando  dc  Mexico,  keej)  of 
the  voyage  of  Mis  Majesty's  Ship  called  the  Satili\n;o,  otherwise 
the  Niu'va  (ialicia,  cotninatided  by  Captain  and  Alpnz  de Fragata 
Don  Juan  Perez,  which,  by  order  of  the  Most  Ivxcelleiit  I,ord, 
Haylio  Frey'  Don  Antoni«)  Maria  Hucareli  y  llrsna.  Viceroy  of 
New  Spain,  is  about  to  be  made  to  the  coast  to  the  northward  of 
Monterey,  which  is  in  latitude  36"  30'  north,  at  least  as  high  as  60^. 

Whilst  I  was  employed  in  the  discharge  of  my  duties  as  Minis- 
ter of  this  Mission  of  San  CArlos  de  Monterey,  the  Father  Presi- 
dent of  these  New  Missions,  Fray  Junfpero  Serra,  having  returned 
on  the  nth  of  May  of  the  present  year  from  his  journey  to  our  col- 
lege and  the  City  of  Mexico,  informed  us  that  the  said  Most  Kxcel- 
lent  lyord,  in  accord  with  the  Reverend  Father  Guardian  of  our  said 
College,  Father  Lector  Fray  Rafael  Verger,  had  determined  that  a 
religious,  a  priest  of  our  number,  should  go  as  chaplain  of  the 
said  expedition,  charged  with  the  duty  of  taking  observations  for 
determining  latitude  and  of  making  the  demarcation  of  the  coast 
•ii  the  new  countries  which  should  be  visited,  and  of  taking  note 
of  the  character  of  such  pagans  as  might  be  met  with  and  of  other 
matters  leading  to  a  full  knowledge  of  those  unknown  lands,  of  all 
keeping  an  exact  diary.  He  said  to  us,  also,  that,  as  the  religious 
who  was  on  his  way  for  the  purpose  of  filling  this  position  had 
remained  at  the  Mission  and  Port  of  San  Diego,  being  sick,'  it  had 
become  necessary  to  appoint  some  one  in  his  stead  and  that  I  was 
the  man.  Notwithstanding  my  great  fatigue  after  so  many  expe- 
ditions by  land,  I  sacrificed  self  in  order  to  take  part  in  this  enter- 
prise, in  conformity  with  my  vow  of  obedience,  trusting  in  God 
for  all  hapiness  during  the  voyage  and  bearing  with  me  the  conso- 
lation that,  by  dint  of  entreaty,  the  said  Father  President  obtained 
from  His  Excellency  the  favor  that  Father  Prior  Fray  Tomas  de  la 
Pena  y  Saravia  should  go  with  me  as  a  companion. 

And,  although  I  be  charged  by  my  prelate  with  taking  observa- 
tions for  determining  the  latitude,  making  a  survey  of  the  land 

1.  /Yev  h'io'iI'I  not  be  oonfouudett  with  Fray.    The  brother  of  one  of  the  nillUary 
orders  wns  Frey  :  a  frliir  wim  h\a\i. 

2.  The  rcllKioug  appoiuteil  to  this  Ghaplainoy,  and  brought  from  the  FranrUran  colleg* 
at  Mexico  for  the  purpoHe,  was  Fray  Pablo  Mii|{ArteKui. 

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Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


and  noting  what  I  may  see  only  at  those  times  when  we  are  on 
shore,  yet  I  have  dttp/mined  to  keep  a  diary  of  the  sea-voyage,  if 
time  and  sea-sickness,  to  which  I  am  subject  whenever  I  go  to  sea, 
permit  me,  noting  daily  what  may  occur. 

Monday,  6th  June,  1774.  About  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
we  set  forth  from  the  Mission  of  San  Cdrlos  de  Monterey,  being 
accompanied  by  the  Reverend  Father  President.  We  arrived  at 
the  royal  Presidio ;  and,  after  taking  leave  of  the  captains  there 
and  Fathers  Murguia  and  Palou  who  were  there  receiving  the  con- 
fessions of  the  crew  which  was  to  make  the  voyage,  we  went  to 
the  beach;  and,  after  taking  leave  of  the  Reverend  Father  Presi- 
dent and  receiving  his  blessing,  we  went  on  board  the  ship,  where 
we  were  welcomed  with  joy  by  all,  for  to  us  they  looked  for  spiri- 
tual consolation.  This  night  the  ship's  people  were  engaged  in 
preparations  for  weighing  anchor. 

On  Tuesday,  the  7th,  the  same  work  was  going  on,  and  by  means 
of  a  warp  the  ship  was  taken  from  the  anchorage  and  brought  near 
to  a  place  where  the  weed  grows  to  the  surface  of  the  sea,  close  to 
Point  Pinos  and  about  a  musket-shot  from  the  anchoring  ground. 
The  wind  came  from  the  northwest  and  by  eleven  o'clock  we  were 
under  sail.  Blessed  be  God,  whom  I  beseech  to  give  us  all 
happiness.  After  two  or  three  tacks  we  came  back  to  port,  for 
the  northwest  wind  had  freshened  greatly,  and  anchored  at  about 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  To-night  the  boatswain  became 
seriously  ill  of  a  high  fever. 

Wednesday,  the  8th,  daw^ned  with  the  wind  in  the  same  quarter; 
it  held  all  day,  so  that  we  could  not  sail.  Shortly  after  one  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  a  sail  was  seen,  which  proved  to  be  the  packet- 
boat  San  Antonio,  otherwise  the  Principe.  She  came  in  and 
anchored  about  three  o'clock.  On  account  of  her  arrival,  and  as 
the  head- wind  did  not  allow  us  to  sail,  we  remained  in  port. 

Thursday,  the  9th:  Seeing  that,  owing  to  the  reasons  mentioned, 
we  could  not  sail,  we  two  fathers  went  ashore  and  to  the  fort,  where 
we  found  the  Reverend  Father  President  and  Fathers  Murguia  and 
Palou.  After  having  been  with  them  a  while  we  came  back  to 
the  ship  for  dinner.  This  afternoon  Don  Juan  Perez  requested 
that  on  the  next  day  a  mass  should  be  sung  on  shore  to  Our  Lady, 
for  the  happiness  of  the  voj'age. 

Friday,  the  loth  :  The  altar  was  raised  under  a  shelter  of 
boughs  on  the  same  site  where  the  mass  was  celebrated  on  the  27th 
of  December,  1602,  during  the  expedition  of  General  Don  Sebastian 
Vizcaino,  and  on  the  3d  of  June,  1770,  when  a  settlement  was 


we  are  on 
.-voyage,  if 
I  go  to  sea, 

afternoon 
erey,  being 

arrived  at 
tains  there 
ig  the  con- 
ire  went  to 
ither  Presi- 
ihip,  where 
d  for  spiri- 
engaged  in 

d  by  means 
■ought  near 
ea,  close  to 
ng  ground, 
ck  we  were 
give  us  all 
;o  port,  for 
id  at  about 
lin  became 

ine  quarter; 
one  o'clock 
the  packet- 
le  in  and 
val,  and  as 

port, 
mentioned, 

fort,  where 

'urguia  and 

ne  back  to 

requested 

Our  Lady, 

shelter  of 
on  the  27th 
n  Sebastian 
ement  was 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


179 


made  at  this  port  and  the  first  mass  was  sung  by  the  Reverend 
Father  President,  who  sang  the  mass  to-day  also,  Fathers  Fray 
Jose  Murguia  and  F.  .y  Francisco  Dumetz  and  we  two  who  were 
going  on  this  new  expedition  being  choristers.  We  all  dined  to- 
gether near  the  old  oak  which  Sebastian  Vizcaino  saw.  After 
dinner  we  went  on  board  the  ship,  and  found  that  the  boatswain's 
condition  was  worse.  He  confessed  to  my  companion  and  I 
administered  the  holy  oil  to  him.  Shortly  before  five  o'clock  he 
died,  and  the  Captain  sent  the  corpse  to  the  royal  Presidio  that  it 
might  be  given  ecclesiastical  burial. 

Saturday,  the  nth,  dawned  calm,  and,  in  tow  of  the  two  lanchas 
of  the  ship  and  the  Pri7icipc,  we  were  taken  out  to  the  weed-patch 
near  the  point.  About  twelve  o'clock  we  made  sail  with  the  wind 
to  the  westward  of  north,  though  not  very  strong.  It  died  away 
during  the  afternoon,  and  so  in  a  calm  we  passed  the  night. 

Sunday,  the  12th,  dawned  calm,  and  both  fathers  celebiated  the 
holy  sacrifice  of  the  mass,  and  we  began  a  novena  to  San  Antonio 
de  Padua,  asking  his  patronage  for  the  happiness  of  the  voyage. 
At  nine  in  the  morning  the  wind  sprang  up  from  the  west  and 
blew  thence  till  twelve,  when  it  went  to  the  north-northwest,  and 
afterwards  the  northwest.  This  was  favorable  and  lasted  almost 
all  the  afternoon,  though  at  length  it  died  away.  At  sunset  the 
Captain  took  the  bearings  of  Point  Aiio  Nuevo;  it  bore  west-north- 
west, some  four  or  five  leagues  from  where  we  were.  At  this  hour 
the  wind  began  to  blow  gently  in  puffs  and  a  fog  arose. 

Monday,  the  13th,  dawned  very  foggy.  We  both  said  mass. 
The  wind  died  away,  and  thus  we  were  all  day  and  night  not  very 
far  from  land,  although  it  could  not  be  seen  very  clearly  on 
account  of  the  fog. 

Tuesday,  the  14th,  dawned  with  a  very  thick  fog,  although  it 
soon  lifted  and  we  caught  sight  of  Point  Aiio  Nuevo.  We  caught 
some  light  puffs  of  wind  and  kept  tacking  between  Points  Pinos 
and  Alio  Nuevo. 

Wednesday,  the  15th,  dawned  with  a  very  thick  fog  which  lifted 
before  seven  o'clock,  when  we  found  that  we  were  off  Point  Pinos, 
with  Point  Cipreses,  the  Sierra  of  Santa  Lucfa  and  the  bight  into 
which  the  river  Carmelo  empties  in  sight.  About  six  o'clock  in 
the  evening  we  were  five  or  six  leagues  away  from  the  Sierra  of 
Santa  Lucia  and  the  same  distance  from  Point  Aiio  Nuevo. 

Thursday,  the  i6th,  dawned  with  much  fog,  although  it  lifted 
soon  and  we  saw  the  Sierra  of  Santa  Lucia,  now  some  ten  or 
twelve  leagues  distant.     About  ten  o'clock  the  wind  came  from 


S-l'^i 


II 


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I 


'i 
^ 


1 80 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


the  north-northwest  rather  fresh,  so  that  we  made  two  miles  and 
a  half  an  hour.  Afterwards  the  wind  went  to  northwest  and 
blew  thence  all  day.  By  evening  we  could  barely  make  out  the 
land. 

Friday,  the  17th,  dawned  very  clear  and  bright.  The  sea  was 
calm  until  one  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  wind  came  from  the 
southwest,  though  very  light.  In  the  afternoon  we  saw  the  Sierra 
of  Santa  Lucia,  said  to  be  some  sixteen  leagues  distant  to  the 
northeastward.  During  the  night  we  tacked,  the  wind  going  to 
the  northwest. 

Saturday,  the  i8th,  dawned  with  a  thick  fog,  so  dark  and  wet 
that  it  seemed  to  be  raining.  The  wind  was  blowing  fresh  from 
the  northwest,  so  that  we  made  some  four  miles  an  hour.  During 
the  night  the  Captain  was  very  sick  at  the  stomach  and  passed  a 
bad  night,  being  unable  to  get  any  ease  from  pain.  But  it  was 
not  a  serious  matter,  for  at  twelve  o'clock  he  was  well  and  able  to 
take  an  observation  ;  he  told  us  that  we  were  in  34"  57',  At  noon 
we  were  about  seven  leagues  off  the  coast  of  the  Sierra  of  Santa 
Lucia.  In  the  afternoon  the  northwest  wind  increased  a  great  deal 
in  force  ;  the  sea  became  very  rough  and  so  continued,  this  day 
and  the  next. 

Sunday,  the  19th,  dawned  with  the  same  wind  and  the  sea  very 
rough — so  that  we  could  not  celebrate  the  mass.  The  wind  fresh- 
ened so  that  at  eight  o'clock  we  were  under  the  foresail  only;  dur- 
ing the  afternoon  its  strength  decreased  and,  after  night  came  on, 
it  decreased  more. 

At  dawn  on  Monday,  the  20th,  the  same  wind  continued  to 
blow,  although  not  so  strong  ;  we  made  five  miles  and  a  half  an 
hour. 

Tuesday,  the  21st,  dawned  with  a  very  bright  and  clear  sky. 
About  six  in  the  morning  the  wind  hauled  to  the  north-northeast ; 
it  was  light,  and  at  seven  o'clock  it  was  said  that  we  were  making 
three  miles  an  hour.  At  noon  the  Captain  took  an  observation 
and  said  we  were  in  34"  08'.  Later  the  wind  went  to  the  north 
and  freshened  during  the  afternoon  ;  it  was  said  we  made  four 
miles  an  hour,  at  times  more.     This  wind  held  during  the  night. 

"Wednesday,  the  2 2d,  began  with  the  wind  to  the  north,  though 
light,  and  the  day  was  clear.  About  seven  a  very  damp  fog  arose, 
and  the  wind  fell,  although  not  enough  to  prevent  our  making 
three  miles  an  hour.  At  noon  the  Captain  told  me  that  he  had 
taken  an  observation  for  latitude,  which  was  34°  07'. 


Thurs( 
northeast 
they  said 
men  took 
46'. 

On  Fr 
mass  the 
John,  coi 
fresh  fror 
the  ship' I 
vation  wi 
On  Sat 
east  wine 
on  a  nort 
been  able 
servaiion 
God  ;  W€ 
the  wind 
On  Sui 
from  the 
night ;  tl 
both  able 
preached 
tion,  and 
o'clock  i: 
fall  there 
On  M( 
calm  th£ 
wind  spr 
mid-day 
59'.    Th 
began  to 
Tuesd 
tinned  t( 
we  were 
tain  tool 
Santa   I 
differenc 
some  tw 

3.    This 
named  Job 


m 


)  miles  and 
thwest  and 
ake  out  the 

lie  sea  was 
2  from  the 
/  the  Sierra 
:ant  to  the 
i  going  to 

k  and  wet 
fresh  from 
r.  During 
id  passed  a 
Sut  it  was 
and  able  to 
'.  At  noon 
a  of  Santa 
1  great  deal 
;d,  this  day 

le  sea  very 
vind  fresh- 
only;  dur- 
t  came  on, 

ntinued  to 
a  half  an 

clear  sky. 
northeast ; 
re  making 
)bservation 
the  north 
made  four 
he  night, 
th, though 
'  fog  arose, 
ur  making 
at  he  had 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


lat 


Thursday,  the  23d,  dawned  very  foggy.  The  wind  shifted  to 
northeast,  but  afterwards  went  to  the  north ;  it  was  gentle,  and 
they  said  we  made  three  miles  an  hour.  At  mid-day  the  gentle- 
men took  an  observation  and  the  Captain  told  me  we  were  in  33° 
46'. 

On  Friday,  the  24th,  we  both  celebrated  the  mass.  At  the  first 
mass  the  Captain,  the  boatswain  and  two  of  the  sailors,  also  named 
John,  communed.'  The  day  dawned  cloudy,  and  with  the  wind 
fresh  from  the  north-northeast  we  made  three  miles  an  hour  with 
the  ship's  head  to  northwest  by  north.  At  mid-day  an  obser- 
vation was  taken  and  the  Captain  said  our  latitude  was  33°  46'. 

On  Saturday,  the  25th,  the  day  dawned  clear ;  with  the  north- 
east wind  we  had  during  the  night,  which  continued  fresh,  we  sailed 
on  a  northwest  course — what  so  far  during  the  voyage  we  had  not 
been  able  to  do.  The  Captain  told  me  that,  according  to  the  ob- 
servation he  made  at  mid-day,  we  were  in  34**  26'.  Thanks  be  to 
God  ;  we  are  now  regaining  lost  latitude  !  During  the  afternoon 
the  wind  freshened  and  we  made  about  five  miles  an  hour. 

On  Sunday,  the  26th,  the  day  dawned  clear,  with  the  wind  fresh 
from  the  east,  whence  it  began  to  blow  when  the  moon  rose  last 
night ;  the  course  was  northwest,  as  it  was  yesterday.  We  were 
both  able  to  celebrate  the  mass  ;  at  this  mass  my  father  companion 
preached  a  sermon.  At  mid-day  the  gentlemen  took  an  observa- 
tion, and  the  Captain  told  me  we  were  in  34**  37'.  About  five 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  wind  began  to  die  away,  and  at  night- 
fall there  was  a  dead  calm.     Thus  we  passed  the  night. 

On  Monday,  the  27th,  the  day  dawned  rather  cloudy,  with  the 
calm  that  had  lasted  all  night.  About  six  o'clock  gentle  puffs  of 
wind  sprang  up  and  we  made  a  little  more  than  a  mile  an  hour.  At 
mid-day  the  Captain  told  us  he  had  obtained  an  observation  in  35" 
59'.  The  calm  lasted  until  night  ;  when  the  moon  rose  the  wind 
began  to  blow  from  the  northeast. 

Tuesday,  the  28th,  dawned  clear.  The  northeast  wind  con- 
tinued to  blow,  and  freshened  little  by  little,  so  that  at  nine  o'clock 
we  were  making  about  four  miles  an  hour.  At  mid-day  the  Cap- 
tain took  an  observation  in  36**  26' — so  that  we  are  off  the  Sierra  of 
Santa  I,ucia  and  very  nearly  in  the  latitude  of  Monterey,  the 
difference  being  four  minutes  less  ;  but,  as  the  officers  say,  we  are 
some  two  hundred  leagues  off  the  coast. 

3.  This  waB  the  day  of  St.  John  Baptlet,  and  the  birthday— gatnt'e  day— of  these  persons 
named  John. 


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a  I 


182 


Hisiorical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


On  Wednesday,  the  29th,  the  day  dawned  clear,  and  with  the 
same  fresh  wind  from  the  northeast.  Both  fathers  cv'lebrated  the 
mass  ;  in  one  of  the  masses  the  surgeon  communed,  celebrating 
the  day  of  his  saint/  At  mid-day  the  Captain  took  an  observa- 
tion and  told  us  that  we  were  in  37"^  20'. 

On  Thursday,  the  voth,  the  day  dawned  clear,  although  it  was 
soon  cloudy.  The  wi.'id  was  fresh  from  the  southeast,  so  that  we 
made  about  three  miley  an  hour.  At  mid-day  the  Captain  took  an 
observation  and  said  that  we  were  in  sS'*  35'. 

Jui<Y  :  On  Friday,  the  istof  July,  the  day  dawned  cloudy,  with 
the  same  wind  that  had  blown  from  the  southeast  all  night  and 
which  now  kept  freshening.  At  mid-day  the  Captain  told  us  that, 
according  to  his  observation,  we  were  in  39"  43'.  About  five 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  wind  died  away  and  the  calm  lasted 
all  night. 

Saturday,  the  2d,  dawned  cloudy  and  calm,  and  these  conditions 
continued  all  this  day.  At  noon  the  navigating  officers  got  an 
observation  of  the  sun,  and  told  us  we  had  not  yet  reached  the 
fortieth  degree  of  latitude. 

At  dawn  on  Sunday,  the  3d,  there  was  a  very  thick  fog,  with 
the  wind  from  the  east  and  south,  so  light  that  we  scarcely  moved. 
We  both  said  mass;  at  one  of  the  masses  the  second  navigating 
officer,  Don  Esteban  Martinez,  and  two  sailors  communed.*  About 
ten  o'clock  the  wind  freshened,  and  at  eleven  we  were  making 
two  miles  and  a  half  an  hour.  At  mid-day  the  Captain  took  an 
observation  in  40°  34'.  This  £  fternoon  the  wind  shifted  to  the 
southeast ;  it  was  fresh  and  a  stern  wind. 

Monday,  the  4th,  began  with  '.hick  weather  and  with  the  wind 
still  from  the  southeast ;  it  was  quite  fresh  and  we  made  three 
and,  at  times,  four  miles  an  hour.  The  weather  thickened,  and 
there  were  squalls  and  showers,  the  wind  continuing  to  blow  from 
the  same  quarter.  As  the  weather  was  so  thick  it  was  impossible 
to  get  an  observation. 

Tuesday,  the  5th,  dawned  very  fair,  and  with  the  wind  in  the 
quarter  where  it  had  been  all  night.  At  mid-day  the  Captain 
took  an  observation  and  said  that  we  were  in  43"  35'.  At  noon 
the  wind  hauled  to  the  southwest,  but  it  soon  went  back  to  south- 
east, remaining  in  that  quarter  all  the  afternoon  and  night. 

4.  This  is  the  day  of  St  Peter  p.ud  St.  Paul.  It  would  appear  that,  when  Mr.  Bancroft's 
writer  Bays  (Histori/  of  the  Pacific  States,  vol.  XIII,  p.  228)  that  Dftvila,  whose  name  is  Riven 
on  p.  226  of  the  same  volume,  went  on  the  expedition  as  surgeon,  instead  of  the  ship's 
regular  surKcon,  Costan,  he  must  be  mistaken.  D&vila's  name  was  Jos6,  and  St,  Joseph's 
day  is  I9th  March. 

5.  This  was  the  day  of  St.  Mark.  Father  Ci'cspl  does  not  say  that  it  was  the  saint's  day 
of  the  communicants,    The  saint's  day  of  MartincE,  that  of  St.  Stephen,  is  26tb  December, 


Wedn( 
from  the 
observat 
scured  tl 
went  to  1 
miles  an 
the  nigh 

Thurs( 
southwef 
till  after 
afternooi 
these  las 

At  daj 
north  an 
through 
an  obser 


45' 


id  with  the 
lebrated  the 
,  celebrating 
an  observa- 

mgh  it  was 
,  so  that  we 
tain  took  an 

:loudy,  with 

night   and 

told  us  that, 

About   five 

calm   lasted 

2  conditions 
:ers  got  an 
reached  the 

k  fog,  with 
:ely  moved, 
navigating 
;d.'  About 
ere  making 
in  took  an 
ted  to   the 

the  wind 

nade   three 

kened,  and 

blow  from 

impossible 

ind  in  the 
le  Captain 
At  noon 
:  to  south - 
:ht 

Mr.  Bancroft's 

lame  ig  glvon 

of  the  ship's 

A  St,  Joseph's 

ho  saint's  day 
ith  December. 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


rSa 


Wednesday,  the  6th,  dawned  very  foggy  ;  the  wind  still  came 
from  the  southeast  and  we  made  three  miles  an  hour.  At  noon  no 
observation  was  possible,  on  account  of  the  heavy  fog  which  ob- 
scured the  sun.  About  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  wind 
went  to  the  southwest ;  it  was  quite  fresh,  and  we  made  three 
miles  an  hour.  About  five  it  died  away  almost  to  a  calm  ;  and  so 
the  night  passed. 

Thursday,  the  7th,  dawned  calm.  Later  on  the  wind  was  west- 
southwest  and  there  was  so  much  fog  that  the  horizon  was  obscured 
till  after  mid-day,  so  that  no  observation  was  possible.  In  the 
afternoon  there  were  light  puffs  of  wind  from  the  north  and  calms; 
these  lasted  all  day  and  during  the  night. 

At  daybreak  on  Friday,  the  8th,  the  same  light  winds  from  the 
north  and  calms  continued,  with  a  fog  which  la.sted  all  day  and 
through  the  following  night.  At  mid-day  it  cleared  away  so  that 
an  observation  could  be  obtained  and  the  Captain  told  us  we  were 
in  44"  05'. 

Saturday,  the  9th,  was  also  toggy  and  calm  with  light  winds 
accompanied  by  rain  from  the  southeast.  Before  noon  the  sun 
shone  out  and  the  horizon  was  clear,  and  the  Captain  managed  to 
get  an  observation  which  was  satisfactory,  a  thing  he  has  not  been 
able  to  do  for  five  days  past,  and  he  said  that  we  were  in  just  45^. 

At  dawn  on  Sunday,  the  loth,  the  fog  was  very  thick,  the  lijht 
winds  from  the  southeast  alternating  with  calms  continuing.  We 
two  fathers  celebrated  the  mass  ;  during  his  mass  my  companion 
was  able  to  preach  also.  About  nine  o'clock  the  day  was  clearer 
and  the  sun  shone  out.  The  wind  was  from  the  southeast,  a  stern 
wind,  and  at  eleven  o'clock  we  were  making  two  miles  an  hour. 
At  mid-day  the  Captain  took  an  observation  and  said  we  were  in 
45''  35'-  '^he  southeast  wind  blew  all  day  ;  during  the  night  it 
hauled  to  the  south,  still  blowing  fresh.  This  night,  after  absolu- 
tion, the  holy  sacrament  of  extreme  unction  was  administered  to  a 
sailor  who  was  very  ill  of  a  malignant  fever. 

At  dawn  on  Monday,  the  nth,  the  same  wind  was  blowing  and 
there  was  a  thick  fog.  But,  a  short  time  before  noon,  the  weather 
cleared  a  little  and  the  Captain  was  able  to  take  an  observation. 
He  told  us  we  were  in  latitude  46"  23'.  The  wind  continued  to 
fres'  n  ;  and,  pt  three  in  the  afternoon,  we  were  making  three 
miles  an  hour,  and  at  times  more.  This  afternoon  we  felt  the  cold 
very  keenly  ;  during  the  night  this  was  greater,  because  of  the 
moisture  from  the  fog,  which  resembled  snow. 


M 


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i84 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


I: 


'^HII 


On  Tuesday,  the  12th,  the  same  fog  was  present  and  it  was  very 
cold.  About  five  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  wind  shifted  to  west- 
southwest  ;  it  blew  fresh,  and  we  made  about  three  miles  an  hour. 
At  ten  o'clock  the  wind  went  to  west ;  it  blew  strong  and  cold. 
The  weather  was  thick  all  day  and  no  observation  could  be  ob- 
tained. About  three  in  the  afternoon  the  weather  cleared  a  little, 
and  during  the  night  it  was  not  so  thick. 

At  daylight  on  Wednesday,  the  13th,  the  weather  was  very  clear. 
The  wind  was  northwest  a  quarter  west,  so  strong  that  we  made 
three  miles  an  hour.  At  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning  a  heavy 
fog  came  on.  At  ten  it  lifted  and  the  horizon  was  clear,  so  that 
the  Captain  obtained  an  observation  to  his  entire  satisfaction,  and 
he  informed  us  that  we  were  in  latitude  48°  55'.  During  the  after- 
noon the  force  of  the  wind  decreased,  although  we  made  two  miles 
and  a  half  an  hour. 

At  daybreak  on  Thursday,  the  14th,  there  was  a  heavy  fog  and 
a  drizzling  rain,  as  there  had  been  during  the  night.  At  five  the 
wind  was  blowing  strong  from  the  west,  so  that  we  made  four 
miles  and  a  half  an  hour.  At  half  past  seven  we  saw  a  rainbow 
in  the  west,  and  were  struck  by  a  heavy  squall  which  caused  a 
high  sea,  and  it  was  necessary  to  reef  the  topsails.  When  the 
squall  passed  the  rainbow  had  disappeared  and  the  same  fresh  wind 
continued  to  blow.  At  a  short  time  before  noon  the  sky  and  the 
horizon  became  clear,  so  that  an  observation  could  be  obtained;  the 
Captain  said  our  position  was  50^  24'.  At  nine  in  the  morning 
the  Captain  ordered  the  course  to  be  made  north,  and  said  that  he 
had  gone  about  in  order  to  make  a  landfall.  He  did  this,  he  said, 
because  he  had  examined  into  the  condition  of  the  water-supply 
and  found  that  there  was  water  for,  at  most,  two  months  rnd  a 
half,  and  that,  in  view  of  what  might  happen,  he  desired  to  search 
the  coast  for  a  place  where  he  could  take  in  water,  as  he  could  not 
know  how  long  the  return  to  Monterey  might  be  delayed.  At 
three  in  the  afternoon  the  wind  increased  in  force,  until  with  a 
very  fresh  wind  from  the  southeast  we  were  making  four  miles  and 
a  half  an  hour  with  the  ship's  head  to  the  northward. 

On  Friday,  the  15th,  the  same  heavy,  damp  fog  was  present  at 
dawn,  together  with  the  cold,  drizzling  rain  of  previous  days.  The 
wind  blew  very  strong  from  the  south,  and  there  was  a  very  high 
sea,  which  tossed  us  about  a  good  deal.  All  the  morning  we  made 
four  miles  an  hour,  and  at  times  more,  heading  northward.  This 
explanation  of  the  presence  of  cold  is  more  than  sufficient.  At 
eight  the  wind  hauled  to  the  southwest,  and  the  ship  tacked  and 


stood  tc 
clearer 
be  obta 
To-d{ 
made  k 
dangers 
latitude 
their  op 
an  anch 
tude  si 
this   mr 
heard, 
the  pur 
or  a  pla 
ion  of  t 
the  coa 
Satur 
There  ' 
all  nigh 
it  went 
line, 
out  well 
ing  us  t 
came  st 
morninj 
in  heigl 
along  tl 
words  (. 
year,  i: 
no  disc( 
Sund 
almost 
become 
compar 
the  we 


d  it  was  very 
ifted  to  west- 
liles  an  hour, 
ig  and  cold. 
;ould  be  ch- 
ared a  little, 

as  very  clear, 
lat  we  made 
ng  a  heavy 
:lear,  so  that 
sf action,  and 
ing  the  after- 
de  two  miles 

!avy  fog  and 
At  five  the 
'e  made  four 
V  a  rainbow 
:h  caused  a 
When  the 
e  fresh  wind 
sky  and  the 
btained;  the 
he  morning 
said  that  he 
lis,  he  said, 
?ater-supply 
nths  rnd  a 
ed  to  search 
le  could  not 
elayed.  At 
intil  with  a 
ir  miles  and 

present  at 
days.  The 
very  high 
ig  we  made 
^ard.  This 
icient.  At 
tacked  and 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


185 


stood  to  the  northward,  so  as  to  make  the  coast.  The  day  became 
clearer  and  the  horizon  more  distinct,  so  that  an  observation  could 
be  obtained.     The  Captain  told  us  that  our  latitude  was  51*^  42'. 

To-day  the  Captain  called  the  officers  of  the  ship  together  and 
made  known  to  them  the  condition  of  the  water-supply  and  the 
dangers  to  which  we  would  be  exposed  should  wi  go  on  to  higher 
latitudes  without  renewing  that  supply,  and  he  asked  whether,  in 
their  opinion,  it  were  better  to  draw  in  to  the  coast  in  order  to  find 
an  anchoring  ground  and  take  on  board  water,  or  to  go  on  to  lati- 
tude sixty  as  His  Excel'  ency  had  ordered"  and  there  attend  to 
this  matter  of  getting  water.  The  Captain's  proposition  being 
heard,  all  were  of  opinion  that  it  were  better  to  make  the  land  for 
the  purpose  of  obtaining  water  and  in  order  to  find  an  anchorage 
or  a  place  whither  the  ship  might  go  in  case  of  need.  The  opin- 
ion of  the  officers  being  thus  obtained,  we  went  on  in  search  of 
the  coast. 

Saturday,  the  i6th,  dawned  cloudy,  although  there  was  no  fog. 
There  was  a  stern  wind  from  the  southwest,  as  there  had  been 
all  night.  The  wind  was  in  this  quarter  until  nine  o'clock,  when 
it  went  to  the  south  and  we  made  three  miles  an  hour  on  a  bow- 
line. At  that  hour  the  weather  began  to  clear  and  the  sun  shone 
out  well;  so  that  an  observation  was  obtained,  the  Captain  inform- 
ing us  that  we  were  in  52°  41'.  At  four  in  the  afternoon  the  wind 
came  strong  from  the  southwest,  a  stern  wind  again,  as  in  the 
morning.  To-day  the  carpenters  made  a  cross  of  about  five  varus' 
in  height,  with  the  inscription  I.  N.  R,  I.  on  the  upper  part  and, 
along  the  body  of  the  cross  between  the  arms  and  the  foot,  the 
words  Carolus  tertius:  Rex  Hispaniarum:  and  on  the  arms  the 
year,  1774,  so  that,  on  landing  in  a  country  where  we  have  made 
no  discoveries  as  yet,  it  may  be  planted  there. 

Sunday,  the  17th,  dawned  cloudy,  with  some  fog.  It  was 
almost  calm,  with  a  southwest  wind  which  during  the  night  had 
become  less.  We  both  celebrated  the  mass;  at  his  mass  my  father 
companion  preached  a  sermon — as  he  has  done  every  Sunday  when 
the  weather  permitted.     Although  during  the  morning  there  was 

6.  The  Instructions  given  to  Perez  wero  that  ho,  should  proceed  northward  to  latitude 
CO"  and  thence  come  back  to  Monterey  along  the  coast,  examining  it  and  tni^iug  possession. 
Mr.  Bancroft's  writers  do  not  agree  on  this  point :  The  jiorson  who  wrote  the  account  of 
Perez'  voyage  to  be  found  at  p.  227  of  vol.  XIII.  of  the  Iiutory  of  the  Pacifle  Slates  says  Perez 
WHB  "to  explore  the  northern  coast  up  to  fiO"."  The  person  wlio  wrote  the  account  of  that 
voyage  contained  in  vol.  XX^'II. of  that  work  says,  on  p.  151,  that  "he  was  to malco  the 
land  wherever  he  might  deem  best,  but  at  least  as  high  as  CO"."  It  is  very  evident  that  Perez 
understood  his  instructions,  if  the  former  of  the  twoBaucroftian  writers  did  not,  and  that 
be  intended  to  go  to  60^  before  mailing  a  landfall.  This  intention  he  was  forced  to  modify 
because  of  the  necessity  for  obtaining  a  supply  of  water. 

7.  A  vara  may  be  taken  to  be  2.7o  English  feet. 


!!!l^ 


;       I 


18 


186 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California, 


\m\ 


m 


"m 


1 


; '  ■' 


some  fog  and  a  brief  shower  it  cleared  later,  so  that  an  observa- 
tion could  be  obtained.  The  Captain  told  us  that  we  were  in  53" 
13'.  In  this  latitude  the  sun  sets,  at  this  season  of  the  year,  at 
eight  o'clock  and  rises  about  four  in  the  morning  ;  so  that  at 
nine  at  night  it  is  still  light,  while  at  three  in  the  morning  the 
dawn  begins.  Had  we  arrived  a  month  earlier,  it  is  said,  we 
should  have  seen  the  sun  set  at  nine  o'clock. 

Mond.  y,  the  i8th  dawned  very  foggy,  and  there  was  a  drizzling 
rain.  At  five  in  the  morning  there  was  a  squall,  followed  by  light 
winds  from  the  south  and  southeast — so  that  the  ship  made  but 
little  way.  About  half  past  eleven  it  was  said  that  land  was  seen, 
and  so  it  was  we  began  to  get  sight  of  the  coast.  The  nearest 
point  was  on  the  bow  to  the  northeastward,  about  sixteen 
leagues  away.  It  seemed  to  end  at  a  point  bearing  northwest  a 
quarter  north  ;  but,  as  it  was  very  hazy  and  the  land  distant, 
being  at  least  twenty-five  leagues  away,  this  could  not  be  made 
out  clearly.  In  the  north  the  land  seemed  to  be  low  ;  but,  on  the 
contrary,  in  the  northeast  it  appeared  to  be  very  high  and  there 
was  an  insulated  cliff,  or  peak,  with  a  fiat  top  covered  with  snow. 
Although  the  weather  lightened  so  that  we  could  see  the  land,  the 
sun  did  not  shine  out  so  that  an  observation  could  be  obtained. 
At  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  wind  hauled  to  west-south- 
west and  the  ship  made  two  miles  and  a  half  an  hour.  Shortly 
after  five  o'clock  the  wind  went  to  the  northwest ;  it  was  very 
light,  and,  although  at  first  we  made  some  progress,  by  night 
there  was  a  dead  calm. 

Tuesday,  the  19th,  dawned  cloudy,  but  the  horizon  was  clear, 
so  that  the  land  was  seen  clearly,  seven  or  eight  leagues  away. 
But  then  it  was  calm,  as  it  had  been  all  night.  We  had  a  good 
view  of  the  coast,  and  it  seemed  to  all  that  the  portion  we  saw 
trended  north-northwest  and  south-southeast,  and  that  this  direct- 
ion was  changed  to  north-northeast  at  a  po?nt  where  there  was  a 
cape,  whence  it  seemed  to  trend  to  the  north- northeast  or  north- 
east. Before  seven  o'clock  the  fog  had  thickened  so  that  we  were 
barely  able  to  make  out  the  coast,  the  calm  still  continuing.  At 
eleven  o'clock  the  wind  camje  from  the  southeast  rather  fresh,  and 
we  began  to  move  toward  the  cape  we  had  seen  in  the  morning,  in 
order  to  discover  the  lay  of  the  land  beyond  the  coast  seen  to  the 
northward.  About  eleven  the  sun  shone  out  and  was  clearly  seen 
at  twelve,  so  that  an  observation  was  obtained.  The  Captain  said 
we  were  in  53"  58'.  During  the  afternoon  the  wind  freshened, 
and  about  five  o'clock  we  were  some  three  leagues   from  land. 


an  observa- 
:  were  in  53" 

the  year,  at 
: ;  so  that  at 
morning  the 
it  is  said,  we 

as  a  drizzling 
)wed  by  light 
p  made  but 
nd  was  seen, 
The  nearest 
30ut    sixteen 

northwest  a 
and  distant, 
lot  be  made 

but,  on  the 
h  and  there 
I  with  snow, 
the  land,  the 
be   obtained. 

west-south- 

lur.     Shortly 

it  was  very 

ss,  by  night 

n  was  clear, 
igues  away, 
had  a  good 
tion  we  saw 
t  this  direct- 
there  was  a 
st  or  north- 
hat  we  were 
inuing.  At 
r  fresh,  and 
morning,  in 
seen  to  the 
clearly  seen 
[Captain  said 
I  freshened, 
from   land. 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


187 


We  saw  that,  beyond  the  cape  we  had  seen,  a  low  coast  stretched 
toward  the  north.  As  it  was  late  we  went  about  in  order  to  get 
away  from  the  land,  the  ship's  head  being  put  to  the  northward. 
At  six  the  ship  was  hove  to,  and  so  we  remained  all  night,  during 
which  there  was  a  high  sea  and  a  drizzling  rain. 

At  daybreak  on  Wednesday,  the  20th,  there  was  2  very  thick 
fog,  so  that  at  a  short  distance  nothing  could  be  seen.  There  was  a 
drizzling  rain  and  an  east  wind  so  strong  that  the  ship  was  tossed 
about  continually.  The  sails  were  set  and  the  ship's  head  put  to 
north  by  east.  Before  nine  o'clock  the  weather  lightened,  so  that 
we  made  out  the  land  very  well.  We  went  about  and  stood  north- 
east, in  order  to  make  a  point  of  the  land.  At  ten  we  were  about 
four  leagues  from  this  point,  which  to  all  seemed  to  conr'st  of 
three  islands.  At  mid-day  no  observation  could  be  obtained,  for 
it  was  cloudy  and  the  sun  was  hidden.  About  three  in  the  after- 
noon we  were  some  two  leagues  from  the  land,  and  what  had  ap- 
peared to  us  to  be  three  islands  now  seemed  to  be  one,  not  very 
distant  from  the  land.  We  saw  many  bonfires  of  its  inhabitants, 
and  that  it  was  a  land  densely  covered  with  trees,  apparently  pines, 
and  that  behind  said  point  was  a  good  bight  or  bay. 

And  we  noticed  that  a  canoe  came  out  from  a  break  in  the  land 
like  the  mouth  of  a  river  and  was  paddled  toward  the  ship.  While 
it  was  still  distant  from  the  vessel  we  heard  the  people  in  it  sing- 
ing, and  by  the  air  we  knew  that  they  were  pagans,  for  it  was  the 
same  sung  at  the  dances  of  pagans  from  San  Diego  to  Monterey. 
Presently  they  drew  near  to  the  ship  and  we  saw  that  they  were 
seven  men  and  a  boy.  Seven  of  them  were  paddling  ;  the  other, 
who  was  advanced  in  years,  was  upright  and  making  dancing 
movements.  Throwing  several  feathers  into  the  sea,  they  made  a 
turn  about  the  ship.  From  the  gallery  of  the  cabin  we  called  out 
to  them  that  they  should  draw  near  ;  and,  although  at  first  they 
did  not  venture  to  do  this  because  cf  some  fear  they  entertained, 
after  showing  them  handkerchiefs,  beads  and  biscuit,  they  came 
near  to  the  stern  of  the  ship  and  took  all  that  was  thrown  to  them. 
A  rope's  end  was  thrown  to  them,  that  they  might  come  on  board; 
although  they  took  hold  of  it  they  did  not  venture  to  ascend  it, 
but,  keeping  hold  of  it,  they  went  oti  with  us  to  a  considerable 
distance. 

When  this  canoe  reached  the  ship  it  was  about  four  in  the  after- 
noon, and  a  dense  fog  had  come  on,  while  the  wind  was  not  favor- 
able. For  these  reasons  it  was  ordered  that  the  ship  be  put  about, 
farther  approach  to  the  coast  and  a  landing  being  put  off  till  to- 


I  i  H-i 


n 


1 88 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  Caiijornia, 


morrow.  The  pagans,  seeing  that  we  were  going  away  from  their 
country,  invited  us  thither,  and  we  knew,  or  understood  from  their 
signs,  that  they  told  us  there  were  provisions  and  abundant 
water  there  and  a  place  where  the  ship  might  anchor  ;  and,  we 
replying  by  signs  that  on  the  following  day  we  would  go  thither, 
they  went  away. 

These  pagans  are  corpulent  and  fat,  having  good  features  with 
a  complexion  fair  and  rosy  and  long  hair.  They  were  clothed  in 
skins  of  the  otter  and  the  sea-wolf,  as  it  seemed  to  us,  and  all,  or 
most  of  them,  wore  well  plaited  hats  of  rushes,  the  crown  running 
up  to  a  point.  They  are  not  noisy  brawlers,  all  appearing  to  us  to 
be  of  a  mild  and  gentle  disposition. 

About  half  an  hour  aftar  the  departure  of  the  canoe  we  heard 
singing  again  and  we  saw  another  canoe,  smaller  than  the  first 
one,  which  joined  the  other,  and  the  '.wo  came  together  to  the 
ship.  In  the  second  canoe  came  six  pngans.  Both  canoes  drew 
near  to  the  stern  of  the  ship  and  we  gave  these  people  various 
trifles,  telling  them  that  on  the  day  following  we  should  visit 
their  country.  After  having  followed  us  for  some  time  they  went 
away,  all  very  content. 

These  canoes  seemed  to  us  to  be  of  a  single  piece  of  wood 
except  the  gunwale.  They  are  well  made,  their  keels  bjing  fash- 
ioned as  those  of  the  canoes  used  by  the  natives  of  the  Channel  of 
Santa  Barbara,  except  that  in  these  the  bow  and  stern  are  not 
spread  out  like  a  fan,  and  their  paddles  are  well  made.  In  these 
canoes  we  saw  two  very  large  harpoons  for  fishing  and  two  axes. 
One  of  these  seemed,  on  account  of  the  shining  appearance  of  the 
edge,  to  be  of  iron  ;  but  I  could  not  verify  this.  We  saw  that  the 
head  of  one  of  the  harpoons  was  of  iron,  and  it  looked  like  that 
of  a  boarding-pike. 

After  the  canoes  had  gone  away  and  night  had  fallen,  and  we 
were  all  reciting  the  chaplet  of  Our  Lady  of  the  Most  Pure  Con- 
ception, we  again  heard  singing.  This  proceeded  from  another 
canoe,  which  drew  near  with  the  same  ceremonies  observed  by  the 
others.  Seeing  that  no  attention  was  paid  to  them,  because  we 
were  at  prayers,  the  people  in  the  canoe  began  to  cry  out,  and  they 
continued  shouting  until  such  time  as  the  daily  recital  of  the 
chaplet  and  especial  prayers  to  some  saints  were  concluded  and 
the  hymn  of  praise,  which  caused  great  admiration  on  their  part, 
was  sung.  As  it  was  now  dark  the  Captain  ordered  lights  to  the 
side  of  the  ship,  and  we  saw  that  another  canoe,  containing  seven 
pagans,  had  arrived.     They  were  asked  to  come  aboard  the  ship. 


r 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


189 


y  from  tlieir 
d  from  their 
d  abundant 
3r  ;  and,  we 
go  thither, 

matures  with 
:  clothed  in 
and  all,  or 
wn  running 
ing  to  us  to 

e  we  heard 
in  the  first 
ther  to  the 
anoes  drew 
pie  various 
hould  visit 
I  they  went 

ce  of  wood 
bjing  fash- 
Channel  of 
ern  are  not 
In  these 
two  axes, 
mce  of  the 
iw  that  the 
d  like  that 

en,  and  we 
Pure  Con- 
m  another 
ved  by  the 
ecause  we 
t,  and  they 
ital  of  the 
:luded  and 
their  part, 
jhts  to  the 
ling  seven 
the  ship, 


but  either  they  did  not  wish  to  do  so  or  they  did  not  understand 
the  signs  made  to  them.  They  were  given  some  little  things  of 
trifling  value,  and  gave  us  in  return  some  dried  fish  which  seemed 
to  be  cod,  although  it  was  whiter. 

A  sailor  obtained,  in  exchange  for  a  ribbon  he  gave  them,  a  hat 
of  rushes,  well  plaited  and  parti-colored.  The  crown  was  conical 
and  about  a  third  of  a  vara  in  height,  while  the  brim  .vos  not 
more  than  a  sixth  of  a  vara  in  breadth.  For  a  ribbon,  il.  o, 
another  sailor  obtained  a  piece  of  stuff  about  a  square  vara  in  size; 
it  was  very  showy,  apparently  plaited  of  fine  palm  lea^-  ;.  The 
colors  were  black  and  white,  and  plaited  in  little  check.  ,  it  was  a 
very  good  and  s'o"  >  piece  of  work.  This  canoe  remained  along- 
side about  an  hour,  when,  on  our  telling  them  by  signs  tha'  tliey 
should  go  away,  for  it  was  very  late,  and  that  on  the  following  day 
we  would  go  to  their  land,  they  went  away  contentedly.  They  had 
to  go  six  leagues,  for  we  were  already  at  that  distance  from  land. 

The  dawn  of  Thursday,  the  21st,  was  not  so  foggy  as  that  of  the 
preceding  days,  although  there  was  a  drizzling  rain  and  it  blew 
strong  from  the  southeast,  with  a  heavy  sea  running.  At  eight 
o'clock  we  went  about  with  the  ship's  head  toward  the  point  we 
saw  yesterday,  which  the  Captain  named  Point  Santa  Margarita, 
because  it  was  seen  yesterday  which  was  the  day  of  that  glorious 
saint.  The  ship  was  close-hauled,  with  her  head  to  east  by  north. 
About  twelve — when  no  observation  could  be  taken  because  the 
sun  was  obscured  by  clouds — we  were  about  a  quarter  of  a  league 
from  Point  Santa  Margarita,  along  which  we  ran  to  the  east-south- 
east, towards  where  there  appeared  to  be  an  elbow  in  the  land, 
intending  to  examine  the  same  and  to  sound  for  the  purpose  of 
finding  an  anchorage,  so  that  we  might  land  in  order  to  plant 
there  the  standard  r>i  the  holy  cross.  But  it  was  not  possible  to 
make  that  point,  nor  to  make  sure  whether  it  were  an  island  or  a 
point  of  the  main  land,  for  the  force  of  the  current  threw  us  to  the 
southward,  on  which  account  the  Captain  orr'.ered  the  ship  to  be 
put  about.  When  we  were  about  a  league  away  from  the  land 
toward  the  southwest  the  wind  which  had  held  all  tho  "lorning, 
and  which  had  caused  a  very  high  sea,  died  away  entirely.  So  we 
remained  becalmed,  and  were  unable  to  anchor  because,  as  we 
were  so  far  from  the  land,  there  was  no  anchorage  ground. 

Point  Santa  Margarita  is  a  hill  of  medium  height  close  to  the 
sea-side  and  is  very  thickly  covered  with  a  growth  of  trees  to  the 
water's  edge,  seemingly  cypresses  of  all  sizes.  This  hill  is  about 
a  league  long  and  has  two  points,  one  tu  the  southwest  a  quarter 


i    •: 


f     11 


■       I  v..  t' 


'M 


I 


I 

I 


190 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


south,  where  we  sounded  and  found  no  bottom  at  a  distance  of 
about  a  half  a  league  from  the  land,  and  the  other  to  the  east  south- 
eastward of  the  hill,  and  thither  we  were  going  along  the  coast 
because  at  this  point  there  was  an  elbow  in  the  land  and  appar- 
ently a  beach.  But  as  I  have  said,  we  could  not  reach  this  place 
for  the  current  carried  us  away  from  it.  Beyond  this  east-southeast 
point  of  the  hill  the  land  is  low  and  trends  to  the  eastward  for  six 
leagues,  or  more,  where  it  ended  so  far  as  we  could  see.  We  saw 
that  this  land  was  covered  with  cypresses  as  the  point  was. 

North  of  the  point  which  is  southwest  from  Point  Santa  Marga- 
rita, and  about  sixteen  li^agues  from  it,  we  saw  a  very  high  cape, 
also  covered  with  trees.  This  the  Captain  named  Santa  Mari'a 
Magdalena.  Beyond  this  cape  the  coast  consists  of  very  high  land 
covered  with  timber  and  trending  east  and  west  as  far  as  we  could 
distinguish  it.  On  this  coast,  and  bearing  northwest  a  quarter 
west,  we  made  out  an  island  which  was  named  Santa  Cristina.  It 
lies  northwest  and  southeast,  and  is  about  sixteen  leagues  south- 
west of  Point  Santa  Margarita.  But  we  were  uncertain  whether  it 
was  an  island,  or  not,  because  there  may  be  some  low  land  con- 
necting it  with  the  main.  As  it  was  so  far  off  we  could  not  resolve 
this  doubtful  point.  But  from  Cape  Santa  Maria  Magdalena  the 
land,  of  medium  height,  trends  northeast.  In  the  east-northeast 
no  land  was  in  sight;  nor  was  any  seen  between  that  point  and  the 
east,  where  the  low  land  which  I  have  mentioned  as  beginning  at 
the  east-southeast  point  of  Santa  Margarita  and  running  ten 
leagues  to  the  eastward  ends. 

Cape  Santa  Marfa  Magdalena  lies  north  and  south  with  the 
southwest  point  of  Santa  Margarita.  Between  this  cape  and 
the  land  to  the  eastward  ot  it  there  is  an  opening  about  ten  leagues 
in  width,  where  there  is  a  great  bight,  or  gulf,  whence  can.e  the 
said  current  which  carried  us  to  the  southward.  Because  of  the 
strength  of  this  current  we  could  not  examine  nor  enter  it;  there- 
fore we  do  not  know  whether  it  be  bight,  gulf  or  strait.  If  it 
be  not  a  strait  and  is  a  bigh' ,  it  may  be  that  some  great  river 
empties  into  it,  and  that  this  is  the  cause  of  the  strong  current 
which  prevented  our  entrance  and  examination.  Cape  Santa 
Marfa  Magdalena  is  distant  about  ten  leagues  from  the  point  of  the 
low  land  which  begins  at  the  second  or  east-southeast  point  oi 
Santa  Margarita  and  ends  at  the  place  mentioned  lying  to  the 
eastward.  This  intermediate  distance  is  the  width  of  the  mouth 
or  the  entrance  to  this  bight,  strait  01  gulf.  Cape  Santa  Marfa 
Magdalena  vuns  from  east  to  west  into  the  sea.    At  its  western 


m' 


Documevts  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


191 


distance  of 
east  soutli- 
g  the  coast 
md  appar- 
this  place 
t-southeast 
rard  for  six 
.  We  saw 
i/'as. 

iita  Marga- 
high  cape, 
inta  Maria 
'  high  land 
,s  we  could 
:  a  quarter 
ristina.  It 
ues  south- 
whether  it 
land  con- 
not  resolve 
[dalena  the 
t-northeast 
int  and  the 
ginning  at 
lining    ten 

with  the 
cape  and 
en  leagues 
catwe  the 
.use  of  the 
'  it;  there- 
ait.  If  it 
jreat  river 
g  current 
ipe  Santa 
oint  of  the 
point  oi 
ing  to  the 
:he  mouth 
nta  Maria 
ts  western 


extremity  lies  the  island  of  Santa  Cristina.  It  is  not  very  far  away 
from  the  end  of  the  cape  ;  it  may  be,  as  I  have  said,  that  it  is  not 
an  island  but  a  point  of  the  main  land.  After  the  calm  had  lasted 
twelve  hours  and  the  ship  was  about  a  league  from  land,  off  the 
southwest  point  of  the  hill  of  Santa  Margarita,  canoes  began  to 
put  out,  both  from  this  southwest  point  and  that  running  to  the 
east-southeast;  and,  in  a  short  time,  twenty-one  canoes  had  come 
near  to  us.  Some  were  very  large;  others  of  medium  size;  others 
small.  Among  them  were  two,  neither  of  which  would  measure 
less  than  twelve  varus  along  the  keel;  in  one  of  these  were  twenty 
men  and  in  the  other  nineteen.  In  the  canoes  of  medium  size 
there  were  ten  or  twelve  persons,  and  in  the  smallest  not  less  than 
six  or  seven.  In  a  short  time  we  saw  ourselves  surrounded  by 
these  twenty-one  canoes,  which  contained  more  than  two  hundred 
persons,  between  men,  women,  boys  and  girls — for  in  the  greater 
number  of  the  canoes  there  were  some  women.  Among  the 
canoes  was  one  containing  only  women,  some  twelve  in  number, 
and  they  alone  paddled  and  managed  the  canoe  as  well  as  the 
most  expert  sailors  could. 

The  canoes  came  along-side  without  their  occupants  manifest- 
ing the  least  distrust,  they  singing  and  playing  instruments  of 
wood  fashioned  like  drums  or  timbrels,  and  some  making  move- 
ments like  dancing.  They  drew  close  to  the  ship,  surrounding 
her  on  all  sides,  and  presently  there  began  between  them  and  our 
people  a  traffic,  and  we  soon  knew  that  they  had  come  for  the 
purpose  of  bartering  their  effects  for  ours.  The  sailors  gave  them 
ribbons,  old  clothing  and  beads,  and  they  in  return  gave  skins  of 
the  otter  and  other  animals  unknown,  very  well  tanned  and 
dressed ;  coverlets  of  otter  skins  sewn  together  so  well  that  the 
best  tailor  could  not  sew  them  better  ;  other  coverlets,  or  blankets, 
of  fine  wool,  or  the  ha'r  of  animals  that  seemed  like  wool,  finely 
woven  and  ornamented  with  the  same  hair  of  various  colors,  prin- 
cipally white,  black  and  yellow,  the  weaving  being  so  close  that  it 
appeared  as  though  done  in  a  loom.  All  these  coverlets  have 
around  the  edge  a  fringe  of  some  thread  twisted,  so  that  they  are 
very  fit  for  table-cloths,  or  covers,  as  if  they  had  been  made  for 
that  purpose.  They  gave  us,  also,  some  little  mats,  seemingly 
made  of  fine  palm  leaves,  wrought  in  different  colors  ;  some  hats 
made  of  reeds,  some  coarse  and  others  of  better  quality,  most  of 
them  painted,  their  shape  being,  as  I  have  said,  conical  with  a 
narrow  brim,  and  having  a  string  which  passing  under  the  chin 
keeps  the  hat  from  being  carried  away  by  the  wind.     There  were 


i'N 


192 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


: 


obtained  from  them,  also,  some  small  wooden  platters,  well  made 
and  ornamented,  the  figures  of  men,  animals  and  birds  being  exe- 
cuted, in  relief  or  by  incising,  in  the  wood  ;  also  some  wooden 
spoons,  carved  on  the  outside  and  smooth  within  the  bowl,  and 
one  rather  large  spoon  made  of  a  horn,  though  we  could  not  tell 
from  what  animal  it  came. 

There  were  obtained  from  them  two  boxes  made  of  pine,  each 
about  a  vara  square,  of  boards  well  wrought  and  instead  of  being 
fastened  together  by  nails,  they  were  sewed  with  thread  at  all  the 
corners.  They  have  neither  hinges  nor  locks,  but  the  cover  comes 
down  over  the  inner  box  like  that  of  a  hamper  with  a  fastening 
like  that  of  a  powder-chest;  and  they  are  rather  roughly  fashioned 
within,  but  outside  are  well  made  and  smooth,  the  front  being 
carved  with  various  figures  and  branches,  and  inlaid  with  marine 
shells  in  a  manner  so  admirable  that  we  could  not  discover  how 
the  adjustment  was  made.  Some  of  these  figures  are  painted  in 
various  colors,  chiefly  red  and  yellow.  In  all  the  canoes  we  saw 
these  boxes  and  some  of  them  were  nearly  a  yard  and  a  half  long 
and  of  a  proportionate  width.  They  use  them  for  guarding  their  lit- 
tle possessions  and  as  seats  when  paddling.  They  gave  us,  also, 
some  girdles  very  closely  woven  of  threads  of  wool  or  hair,  and 
some  dried  fish  of  the  kind  I  mentioned  yesterday.  It  is  apparent 
that  they  have  a  great  liking  for  articles  made  of  iron  and  of  cop- 
per, if  they  be  not  small.  For  the  beads  they  did  not  show  a  g"eat 
liking.  They  accepted  biscuit  and  ate  it  without  the  least  exami- 
nation of  it. 

As  I  have  said,  these  Indians  are  well  made  ;  their  faces  are 
good  and  rather  fair  and  rosy  ;  their  hair  is  long,  and  some  of 
them  were  bearded.  All  appeared  with  the  body  completely  cov- 
ered, some  with  skins  of  otter  and  other  animals,  others  with 
cloaks  woven  of  wool,  or  hair  which  looked  like  fine  wool,  and  a 
garment  like  a  cape  and  covering  them  to  the  waist,  the  rest  of 
the  person  being  clothed  in  dressed  skins  or  the  woven  woolen 
cloths  of  different  colors  in  handsome  patterns.  Some  of  these 
garments  have  sleeves  ;  others  have  not.  Most  of  them  wore  hats 
of  reeds,  such  as  I  liave  described.  The  women  are  clothed  in  the 
same  manner.  They  wear  pendent  from  the  lower  lip,  which  is 
pierced,  a  disk  painted  in  colors,  which  appeared  to  be  of  wood, 
slight  and  curved,  which  makes  them  seem  very  ugly,  and,  at  a 
little  distance  they  appear  as  if  the  tongue  was  hanging  out  of  the 
mouth.  Easily,  and  with  only  a  movement  of  the  lip,  they  raise 
it  so  that  it  covers  the  mouth  and  part  of  the  nose.     Those  of  our 


Documents  from  the  Sutra  Collection. 


193 


3,  well  made 
s  being  exe- 
some  wooden 
lie  bowl,  and 
mid  not  tell 

)f  pine,  each 
ead  of  being 
d  at  all  the 
cover  comes 
a  fastening 
ily  fashioned 
front  being 
with  marine 
iscover  how 
;  painted  in 
loes  we  saw 
[  a  half  long 
ling  their  lit- 
ave  us,  also, 
or  hair,  and 
t  is  apparent 
I  and  of  cop- 
show  a  g-eat 
least  exami- 

ir  faces  are 
and  some  of 
ipletely  cov- 
others  with 
wool,  and  a 
,  the  rest  of 
oven  woolen 
me  of  these 
;m  wore  hats 
lothed  in  the 
ip,  which  is 
be  of  wood, 
ly,  and,  at  a 
ig  out  of  the 
),  they  raise 
Those  of  oui 


people  who  saw  them  from  a  short  distance  said  that  a  hole  was 
pierced  in  the  lower  lip  and  the  disk  hung  therefrom.  We  do  not 
know  the  object  of  this;  whether  it  be  done  to  make  themselves 
ugly,  as  some  think,  or  for  the  purpose  of  ornament.  I  incline  to 
the  latter  opinion  ;  for,  among  the  heathen  found  from  San  Diego 
to  Monterey,  we  have  noted  that,  when  they  go  to  visit  a  neigh- 
boring village,  they  paint  themselves  in  such  a  manner  as  to  make 
themselves  most  ugly.  We  saw  that  some  of  the  men  were  paint- 
ed with  red  ochre  of  a  fine  tint.  Although  we  invited  these  In- 
dians to  come  aboard  the  ship  they  did  not  venture  to  do  so,  except 
two  of  them,  who  were  shown  everything  and  who  were  astonished 
at  all  they  saw  in  the  vessel.  They  entered  the  cabin  and  we 
showed  them  the  image  of  Our  I^ady.  After  looking  at  it  with 
astonishment,  they  touched  it  with  the  hand  and  we  understood 
that  they  were  examining  it  in  order  to  learn  whether  it  were 
alive.  We  made  presents  to  them,  and  told  them  by  signs  that 
we  were  going  to  their  land  in  order  to  obtain  water.  While  these 
two  were  on  board  the  ship  two  of  our  sailors  went  down  into  the 
canoes,  whereat  the  Indians  rejoiced  greatly,  and  made  a  great 
to-do.  They  painted  them  and  danced  with  them  with  such 
expressions  of  content  that  they  could  not  have  done  more  had 
they  been  well  known  to  them,  giving  it  to  be  understood  by  the 
sig^  of  placing  the  hand  on  the  breast  that  they  loved  them 
dearly. 

From  this  we  all  inferred  that  this  is  a  peaceable  and  very  docile 
people.  Those  in  the  canoes  invited  the  two  sailors  to  their  land, 
telling  them  that,  if  they  wished,  they  would  take  them  thither  in 
their  canoes  ;  but  they  did  not  wish  to  go,  telling  them  that  they 
would  go  in  the  vessel  with  the  rest  of  the  people.  But  this  was 
not  possible,  on  account  of  the  fog  which  lasted  all  the  afternoon 
and  the  currents  which  bore  us  away  from  the  land.  So  the 
canoes  went  away,  the  Indians  inviting  us  to  visit  their  country, 
and  we  understood  them  to  say  by  signs  that  we  should  not  go 
farther  up  the  coast  because  the  people  there  were  warlike  and 
slayers  of  men,  this  being  the  customary  warning  of  almost  all 
pagans,  in  order  to  make  it  understood  that  they  are  good  men  and 
the  rest  Lad.  Our  attention  was  drawn  to  the  pleasant  faces  of 
both  men  and  women  and  their  long  hair  well  combed  and  braided, 
the  women  particularly  keeping  the  head  in  good  condition,  to 
their  using  clothing  almost  like  woven  stuffs,  the  fabric  being  as 
good  and  as  well  made,  and  to  the  manufactured  articles  of  wood, 
palm,  reeds  and  ivor.    "hich  our  people  got  from  them. 

19 


M 


m 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


M 


It  astonished  us,  also,  to  find  that  the  women  wore  rings  on 
their  fingers  and  bracelets,  of  iron  and  of  copper.  These  things  I 
saw  on  several  women,  and  the  sailore  v;ho  saw  them  nearer 
assured  me  that  there  was  a  woman  who  had  five  or  six  rings  of 
iron  and  of  copper  on  the  fingers  of  her  hands.  We  saw  these 
metals,  though  not  to  any  great  amount,  in  their  possession,  and 
we  noted  their  appreciation  of  these  metals,  especially  for  large 
articles  and  those  meant  for  cutting  which  are  made  of  them. 
The  Captain,  who  spent  a  great  deal  of  time  in  China  and  the 
Philippines,  tells  me  that  they  greatly  resemble  the  Sangleyes  of 
the  Philippines.  It  is  certain  that  in  the  weaving  the  fine  little 
mats  resemble  those  that  come  from  China.  Although  the  night 
is  very  short,  for  the  sun  rises  before  four  o'clock,  yet  this  night 
was  long  for  us,  on  account  of  the  desire  we  had  to  go  ashore. 
Some  of  the  sailors  who  bought  cloaks  passed  a  bad  night,  for, 
having  put  them  on,  t'ley  found  themselves  obliged  to  take  to 
scratching,  on  account  of  the  bites  they  sufff:red  from  the  little 
animals  these  pagans  breed  in  their  clothing. 

Friday,  the  22d.  About  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  wind 
came  from  the  southwest,  although  light,  and  at  five  we  were 
some  four  leagues  from  land.  We  drew  near  to  it,  with  the  ship's 
head  east  by  north,  with  the  intention  of  doubling  the  second 
point,  that  to  the  east-southeast  of  Santa  Margarita,  in  order  to 
examine  the  elbow  behind  it  for  anchorage  ground  ;  but  the  cur- 
rent set  us  to  leeward  so  fast  that  we  could  not  make  the  point  and 
found  ourselves  obliged  to  go  about  to  the  south-southeastward. 
At  mid-day  we  were  off  the  southwest  point  of  Santa  Margarita, 
where  we  had  wished  to  anchor  on  the  twenty-first  but  found  no 
bottom.  An  observation  was  obtained  and  the  Captain  said  that 
we  were  in  latitude  55°.  So  this  is  the  latitude  of  Point  Santa 
Margarita.  It  was  nearly  one  in  the  afternoon  when  we  tacked 
toward  the  land  :  but,  in  about  two  hours,  the  wind  went  to  west- 
southwest,  and  we  tacked  to  the  southward.  Shortly  afterward 
the  wind  went  to  southwest  and  our  course  was  made  south-south- 
east. This  afternoon  the  wind  has  been  very  fresh,  and  a  good 
deal  of  very  thick  fog,  as  wet  as  though  it  were  raining,  prevented 
our  seeing  anything.  For  this  reason,  and  because  the  wind  was 
unfavorable  and  a  high  sea  running,  while  the  current  was  forcing 
us  landward,  we  stood  out  to  sea  and  the  land  was  lost  to  our 
sight. 

On  Saturday,  the  23d,  at  dawn,  there  was  a  high  head  sea  run- 
ning, as  had  been  the  case  all  night, which  forced  us  from  the  land; 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


195 


re  nngs  on 
lese  things  I 
hem  nearer 
six  rings  of 
e  saw  these 
isession,  and 
ly  for  large 
ide  of  them, 
lina  and  the 
Jangleyes  of 
e  fine  little 
h  the  night 
t  this  night 
go  ashore, 
i  night,  for, 
I  to  take  to 
m  the  little 

ig  the  wind 
ive  we  were 
th  the  ship's 
the  second 
in  order  to 
)ut  the  cur- 
ie point  and 
itheastward. 
I  Margarita, 
lit  found  no 
in  said  that 
Point  Santa 
1  we  tacked 
2nt  to  west- 
y  afterward 
5outh-south- 
and  a  good 
?,  prevented 
>e  wind  was 
was  forcing 
lost  to  our 

;ad  sea  run- 
am  the  land; 


the  same  wind,  fog  and  rain  continued,  so  that,  all  day  long,  the 
sun  was  invisible.  Before  mid-day  the  wind  hauled  to  west-south- 
west, and  we  went  to  the  southward,  at  the  rate  of  two  and  a  half 
or  three  miles  an  hour.  As  the  weather  was  so  unfavorable  for 
our  design  of  going  ashore  in  order  to  make  an  examination  of  the 
land,  we  determined  on  a  novena  to  San  Juan  Nepomuceno,  to  the 
end  that,  through  the  merit  of  his  sovereign  patronage,  he  might 
obtain  for  us  favorable  weather  from  the  Lord  ;  it  was  begun  this 
evening,  on  the  conclusion  of  the  daily  recital  of  the  chaplet  of 
Our  I^ady,  Most  Holy  Mary. 

Sunday,  the  24th,  day  of  San  Francisco  Solano,  Apostle  of  Peru 
and  patron  of  the  South  Sea,  dawned  fair  with  a  brisk  wind  from 
the  west-southwest.  My  father  companion  said  mass  and  preached, 
as  is  his  wont  on  all  Sundays  ;  but,  before  the  mass  came  to  an 
end,  the  wind  strengthened  too  much,  with  squalls  threatening  and 
some  rain  falling,  for  a  second  mass,  though  I  managed  to  assist 
at  that  celebrated  by  Father  Fray  Tomas.  Shortly  after  eight 
o'clock  in  the  morning  the  weather  cleared  again  and  the  day  was 
fine  v'ith  bright  sunshine,  which  we  have  not  had  since  coming  to 
the  orthward  of  forty  degrees  of  latitude.  At  twelve  o'clock  a 
perf  tly  satisfactory  observation  was  obtained,  and  the  Captain 
told  as  that  we  were  in  53"  48'.  The  wind  continued  to  blow 
fresh  and  favorable  from  west-southwest  to  west  and  our  progress 
was  good.  Soon  after  noon  the  ship's  head  was  put  to  the  east- 
ward. Although  since  six  in  the  morning  until  after  noon  we  had 
made  four  miles  an  hour,  we  could  not  make  out  the  land,  and 
this  although  the  horizon  was  very  clear.  Before  sunset  the  wind 
died  away  f»nd  we  saw  land,  said  to  be  the  same  seen  on  the  eight- 
eenth iusiaut. 

This  coast,  from  Point  Santa  Margarita,  is  low  lying  and  trends 
from  north  to  south  for  about  seven  leagues ;  and,  after  this  low 
land  ends,  in  54°  44',  very  high  and  broad  mountain  ranges  begin, 
with  detached  peaks  which  are  very  lofty  and  snowy.  These 
mountains  are  thickly  clothed  with  timber  ;  and,  although  we 
could  not  determine  the  kinds  of  trees  of  "hich  these  forests  con- 
sist, we  took  them  to  be  cypresses,  pines,  beeches  and  ashes,  for, 
in  the  canoes  which  came  out  to  us  off  Point  Santa  Margarita,  we 
saw  wood  of  all  these  kinds,  and  even  branches  of  these  trees. 
These  ranges  of  lofty  mountains,  which  the  Captain  named  the 
Sierra  of  San  Crist6bal,  run  from  latitude  54°  44'  to  latitude  53° 
08',  in  a  northwesterly  and  southeasterly  direction.  From  the 
south,  seen  from  sea  and  near  to  the  land,  their  course  seems  to  be 
from  north-northwest  to  south-southeast. 


•  li 


i  _; 


I    f 


196 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


Monday,  the  25th,  day  of  our  patron,  Santiago,'  dawned  clear 
and  the  sun  shone.  Both  of  us  celebrated  the  mass.  At  mine  the 
Surgeon  and  two  sailors  communed  ;  during  that  of  my  father 
companion  the  viaticum  was  administered  to  the  sick  sailor  to 
whom,  a  fortnight  ago,  the  holy  oil  was  administered  because  of 
the  dangerous  condition  in  which  he  then  was.  At  dawn  the  calm 
which  had  lasted  all  night  was  still  present,  but  the  wind  sprang 
up  from  the  east,  from  the  land  which  is  in  sight  about  eight 
leagueis  distant.  It  is  the  Sierra  of  San  Crist6bal,  of  which  I  made 
mention  yesterday  ;  and,  according  to  an  observation  obtained  to- 
day by  the  Captain,  it  is  in  latitude  53"  21'  This  sierra  appears 
to  be  about  thirty-six  leagues  in  length  between  two  peaks,  one  at 
the  southern  end  and  one  at  the  northern.  After  mid-day  a  dense 
fog  arose  ;  at  six  o'clock  it  began  to  rain  and  the  fall  was  greater 
as  the  night  came  on.  All  day  the  wind  was  east,  unfavorable  for 
our  drawing  near  to  the  land.  During  the  night  it  hauled  to  the 
south-southeast  and  south.  Shortly  before  seven  o'clock  the  sailor 
to  whom  we  had  administered  the  sacrament  died  ;  his  name  was 
Salvador  Antonio,  and  he  was  a  native  of  the  town  of  Guaina- 
mota.     Anima  ejus  requiescat  in  pace.     Amen. 

At  dawn  on  Tuesday,  the  26th,  day  of  Santa  Ana,  there  was  a 
drizzling  rain  falling  and  a  thick  fog,  so  that  only  one  mass  could 
be  celebrated,  and  this  was  said  by  my  father  companion.  It  was 
a  funeral  mass  for  the  deceased,  and  the  body  was  committed  to 
the  deep  with  ecclesiastical  ceremonies  as  soon  as  ♦".he  mass  was 
finished.  Little  by  little  the  south  wind  went  on  increasing,  so 
that,  at  ten  o'clock,  it  was  so  strong  that  it  was  forcing  us  on 
shore,  which  we  could  not  make  out  because  of  the  thick  fog  ;  and 
the  Captain,  fearing  lest  we  might  go  on  the  rocks  of  an  unknown 
coast,  ordered  the  ship  to  be  put  about  with  her  head  to  the  west, 
close-hauled  with  only  the  main-topsail  set,  for  the  wind  grew 
stronger  continually,  and  he  did  not  wish  to  lose  any  northing  nor 
to  get  very  far  off  the  coast.  The  wind  freshened  more,  and  a 
heavy  sea  was  running,  so  that  we  could  not  stand  the  tossing  of 
the  ship.  So,  the  wind  and  rain  continuing,  we  passed  the  day 
until  at  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  when  the  wind  shifted  to  south- 
west. Presently  we  we^t  about  with  the  ship's  head  toward  the 
coast,  being  anxious  to  do  everything  possible  in  order  to  make  a 
landing. 

8.  Santiago,  the  patron  iaint  of  Spain,  whose  name  was  the  Spanish  war-cry— ''Santi- 
ago, y  A  ellOB  1  "  The  surgeon  communed  again  this  day.  It  is  evident  that  devout  officers 
and  men  of  the  expedition  received  the  sacrament  on  occasions  other  than  their  birthdays. 


■I  I 


itti 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


197 


awned  clear 
At  mine  the 
'  my  father 
k  sailor  to 

because  of 
wn  the  calm 
vind  sprang 
about  eight 
hich  I  made 
obtained  te- 
rra appears 
eaks,  one  at 
day  a  dense 
was  greater 
avorable  for 
luled  to  the 
ck  the  sailor 
3  name  was 

of  Guaina- 

there  was  a 
mass  could 
ion.  It  was 
ommitted  to 
e  mass  was 
icreasing,  so 
rcing  us  on 
ick  fog ;  and 
=in  unknown 
to  the  west, 
wind  grew 
lorthing  nor 
nore,  and  a 
e  tossing  of 
sed  the  day 
id  to  south- 
toward  the 
r  to  make  a 


war-cry— 'Stntl- 
t  devout  offlcera 
their  birthdaya. 


Wednesday,  the  27th,  began  much  obscured  by  thick  fog,  and 
it  was  raining.  The  southwest  wind  had  been  blowing  since 
eleven  o'clock  last  night,  and  we  were  approaching  the  coast  with 
the  ship's  head  to  the  south-southeast,  through  a  heavy  sea  left  by 
the  south  wind  of  yesterday.  Before  ten  o'clock  the  weather  cleared 
and  the  sun  shone  out  well,  so  that  an  obseriration  was  obtained. 
The  Captain  said  we  were  in  52''  59'.  After  noon  the  wind  shifted 
another  point,  and  the  ship's  head  was  put  southeast  a  quarter 
south.  About  three  o'clock  the  wind  began  to  die  away  ;  and, 
when  the  night  came,  we  were  becalmed.  Although  there  was  a 
clear  sun  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  weather  was  fair,  we  could  not 
see  the  coast.  At  sunset  the  horizon  was  obscured  ;  I  do  not  know 
whether  it  was  for  this  reason,  or  because  we  were  so  far  away 
from  it,  that  we  could  not  make  out  the  land. 

At  dawn  on  Thursday,  the  28th,  the  calm  continued.  But  the 
day  was  fair,  and  we  saw  the  land  some  six  or  seven  leagues  dis- 
tant. It  was  a  chain  of  mountains  very  broad  and  high.  The 
Captain  took  the  bearing  of  the  two  extremities,  which  were  seen 
very  plainly,  one  in  a  northerly  and  the  other  in  a  southerly  direc- 
tion. The  northerly  extremity  bore  north-northwest ;  the  south- 
erly, east.  The  aistance  between  them  was  about  eighteen 
leagues;  and,  according  to  this  demarcation,  the  coast  trends 
northwest  and  southeast,  although  in  this  there  may  be  some  vari- 
ation because  of  our  distance  from  the  land  when  the  bearings 
were  taken.  We  saw  very  clearly  the  snowy  peaks  discovered  on 
the  1 8th  of  this  month,  and  now  we  saw  them  far  away  toward  the 
north.  From  where  we  saw  it  this  streich  of  coast  appeared  to  be 
of  high  land  immediately  on  the  seaboard,  though  there  may  be 
some  low  land  which,  on  account  of  the  distance,  we  could  not 
see.  There  were  only  light  puffs  of  shifting  wind,  so  that  we 
could  get  no  farther  in.  At  mid-day  an  observation  was  made, 
and  the  Captain  said  we  were  in  52  *>  41'.  He  took  the  bearings  of 
the  land  and  of  the  high  range  of  San  Cristobal.  The  bearing  of 
what  was  seen  of  the  range  farther  to  the  northward  was  north- 
northwest,  the  distance  being  about  eighteen  leagues  ;  the  south- 
erly extremity  bore  east-southeast.  The  shifting,  light  winds  con- 
tinued during  the  afternoon  and  night. 

Friday,  the  29th,  davned  very  cloudy,  although  there  was  no 
fog,  and  we  saw  the  coast  plainly.  It  was  distant  from  us  some 
seven  or  eight  leagues,  the  range  of  San  Crist6bal  being  now  left 
behind  us.  According  to  the  Captain's  belief,  this  range,  begin- 
ning at  Point  Santa  Margarita,  is  about  fifty-five  leagues  long. 


U 


I! 


1 


lit' 


198 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


':  1 

il  1 


I  i 


The  other  stretch  of  coast,  in  sight  to-day,  is  also  a  range  moder- 
ately high  with  some  insulated  peaks,  although  not  so  many  as  in 
the  range  of  San  Crist6bal ;  and,  though  our  observation  of  it  has 
been  at  some  distance,  it  seems  to  us  to  rise  abruptly  from  the  sea- 
side and  that  there  are  some  gaps  in  it.  But,  if  we  can  manage  to 
get  a  nearer  view  of  it  and  examine  it,  this  can  be  determined  pre- 
cisely ;  also  whether  there  be  harbors,  bights,  bays  or  roadsteads. 
From  what  we  have  seen  to-day  no  better  account  can  be  given. 
The  trend  of  this  stretch  of  coast  is  north-northwest  and  south- 
east, and,  according  to  the  bearings  taken,  it  is  east-northeast  of 
our  position.  To  get  that  position  there  was  no  observation,  as 
the  sun  was  not  visible  but  hidden  all  day  by  the  heavy  clouds. 
Shortly  after  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  wind  went  to  south- 
southeast  and  the  ship's  head  was  put  to  southwest,  although  the 
wind  gradually  died  away  to  a  dead  calm,  which  lasted  all  night. 

Although  Saturday,  the  30th,  dawned  cloudy,  the  weather  was 
fair  and  there  was  no  fog.  We  were  at  a  considerable  distance 
from  the  coast,  which  we  could  barely  make  out.  In  the  early 
morning  the  wind  from  the  southeast  a  quarter  south  freshened 
somewhat,  and,  at  half  past  eleven,  it  went  toward  the  south.  We 
went  about  and  stood  for  the  coast,  with  intent  to  examine  two 
breaks  we  saw  in  it  yesterday;  but  it  was  not  given  to  us  to  make 
such  examination,  because,  at  half  past  twelve,  the  wind  went 
back  to  the  southeast,  and  we  went  about  again,  with  the  ship's 
head  to  the  southwest.  The  wind  freshened  constantly,  causing  a 
heavy  sea  which  was  on  our  bow  and  made  the  ship  pitch  and  toss 
so  that  we  could  not  keep  our  feet.  So  it  went  on  all  night, 
which  was  uncomfortable  enough,  on  this  account  and  because  it 
rained.     The  ship  was  under  the  fore  and  main  courses. 

Sunday,  the  31st,  dawned  very  dark  and  rainy,  though  the 
wind  was  rather  less  strong.  To-day  it  was  impossible  to  cele- 
brate the  mass  on  account  of  the  rain,  the  heavy  sea  and  the 
great  pitching  and  tossing  of  the  ship.  The  wind  remained  in  the 
south-southeast,  although  it  was  not  so  strong  as  during  the  night. 
Our  course  is  southwest,  and  we  no  longer  see  the  land.  The  sun 
shone  out  so  that  an  observation  could  be  had,  and  the  Captain 
said  we  were  in  51"  58'.  The  same  wind  and  sea  continued  dur- 
ing the  afternoon  and  part  of  the  night.  This  afternoon  we 
finished  the  novena  to  San  Juan  Nepomuceno  for  the  success  of 
the  voyage. 

August.  Monday,  the  ist,  began  very  cloudy,  with  a  south- 
west wind  which  began  to  blow  at  one  o'clock  in  the  morning. 


in: 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


199 


ige  moder- 
nany  as  in 
n  of  it  has 
im  the  sea- 
manage  to 
mined  pre- 
roadsteads. 

be  given, 
ind  south- 
ortheast  of 
rvation,  as 
vy  clouds. 
:  to  south- 
;hough  the 
all  night, 
eather  was 
e  distance 
the  early 

freshened 
south.  We 
amine  two 
IS  to  make 
wind  went 

the  ship's 

causing  a 
:h  and  toss 
1  all  night, 

because  it 

hough  the 
e  to  cele- 

and  the 
ined  in  the 
\  the  night. 

The  sun 
le  Captain 
nued  dur- 
emoon  we 
success  of 

h  a  south- 
moining. 


From  that  hour  our  course  had  been  south-southeast,  in  order  to 
draw  near  to  the  coast  again.  At  eight  o'clock  the  sun  shone  out 
clear.  An  observation  was  obtained  and  the  Captain  told  us  that 
our  position  was  si**  35'.  After  mid-day  the  wind  died  away,  and 
shifted  about  between  south  and  southwest.  At  six  in  the  even- 
ing the  wind  went  hauling  to  the  west,  where  it  remained  all 
night.  During  the  night  the  sea  that  had  been  annoying  us  all 
these  days  went  down. 

Tuesday,  the  2d,  dawned  cloudy,  but  the  sun  soon  dispelled  the 
clouds  and  shone  out.  The  west  wind  held  until  four  in  the 
morning,  when  it  went  back  to  the  west-northwest — a  wind, 
thanks  be  to  God,  favorable  for  our  drawing  near  to  the  coast.  To 
this  end  at  that  hour  the  ship's  head  was  put  to  the  southeast. 
At  mid-day  an  observation  was  obtained,  and  the  Captain  said  we 
were  in  50**  20'.  After  getting  this  result,  and  noting  the  south- 
ing we  had  made,  the  Captain  ordered  the  ship's  head  to  be  put 
to  east  by  south.  The  same  wind  held  fresh  during  the  afternoon 
and  the  following  night.  About  six  o'clock  in  the  evening  a 
dense  fog  came  on. 

At  dawn  on  Wednesday,  the  3d,  the  same  west-northwest  wind 
held.  The  fog  of  yesterday  continued,  so  dense  that  nothing 
could  be  seen,  even  for  the  ship's  length.  Shortly  before  nine 
o'clock  the  wind  came  from  the  northwest.  This  wind  is  very 
desirable,  that  we  may  run  along  the  coast  and  examine  it,  and 
our  course  is  east  by  south.  The  wind  freshened  continually, 
and  by  noon  we  were  making  five  miles  an  hour.  The  dense  fog 
thus  continued  and  only  at  mid-day  it  cleared  away  a  little  to  the 
southward,  so  that  an  observation  could  be  had.  The  Captain 
informed  us  that  we  were  in  49**  24'.  To-day  the  Captain  noticed 
that  the  needle  varies  about  two  points.  Noting  this  and  that  the 
fog  kept  the  horizon  very  obscure  and  that  the  coast  can  not  be 
very  far  away,  anxious  lest  we  might  strike  it  unexpectedly, 
shortly  before  three  o'clock  he  .ordered  the  sails  to  be  double- 
reefed  and  the  course  to  be  made  southeast  a  quarter  south.  At 
five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  sky  cleared  so  that  the  sun  shone 
out  and  the  horizon  was  unobscured  ;  yet  nowhere  could  we  see 
the  land  which  we  thought  to  be  so  near.  For  this  reason  the 
Captain  soon  ordered  the  ship's  head  to  be  put  to  the  east.  The 
northwest  wind  increased  constantly,  and,  with  the  foresail  and 
the  fore-topsail  single- reefed,  we  made  four  miles  an  hour.  Dur- 
ing the  night  the  wind  freshened  to  such  an  extent  that  the  ship 
was  hove  to.    At  ten  o'clock  at  night  a  thick  fog  came  on. 


it 


200 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California, 


i    -i 


At  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  Thursday,  the  4th,  the  wind 
came,  very  tresh,  from  the  north,  so  that,  under  the  foresail  and 
the  fore-topsail,  single- reefed,  we  made  about  five  miles  an  hour. 
The  fog  was  so  dense  that  it  was  impossible  to  see  more  than  the 
ship's  length.  There  was  a  high  sea  running  and  the  north 
wind  became  stronger  every  instant,  so  that,  at  eight  o'clock,  the 
ship  was  unable  to  stand  the  stress  of  weather.  The  Captain, 
seeing  this,  ordered  the  canvas  to  be  reduced  to  the  fore-topsail 
and  the  ship's  head  to  be  put  to  the  southeast.  About  eleven 
o'clock  the  weather  cleared  and  the  sun  drove  the  fog  away,  so 
that  an  observation  was  obtained  and  it  was  found  that  we  were  in 
latitude  48°  52'.  Until  after  dinner  the  only  sail  set  was  the  fore- 
topsail  and  we  made  three  miles  an  hour.  As  the  horizon  was 
clear  and  we  saw  no  land  and  as  the  wind  was  not  so  strong,  the 
Captain  ordered  all  sail  to  be  made  and  that  the  ship's  head  should 
be  put  east-northeast,  so  that  it  might  be  determined  whether  the 
coast  could  be  made  out.  The  wind  held,  although  later  it  was 
not  so  strong;  yet,  all  this  time,  we  made  four  miles  an  hour. 
Thus  the  night  passed.  This  evening,  after  the  daily  orison  of 
the  chaplet  of  Our  I^ady  and  the  devotions  of  some  saints  in  par- 
ticular, we  began  a  novena  to  Santa  Clara,  asking  that  glorious 
saint  to  intercede  with  the  I^ord,  so  that  we  might  have  good 
weather  and  clear  days  for  the  examination  of  the  coast. 

Friday,  the  5th,  dawned  very  fair;  there  was  no  fog  and  the 
horizon  was  clear.  No  land  was  seen.  The  wind  held  from  the 
north,  although  not  so  strong,  and  our  course  was  northeast.  Be- 
fore noon  the  wind  died  away,  so  that  we  made  only  two  miles  and 
a  half  an  hour,  and,  during  the  afternoon,  only  two.  To-day  a 
very  satisfactory  observation  was  obtained,  for  the  weather  was 
very  fair,  and  our  position  was  exactly  48*'. 

On  Saturday,  the  6th,  the  wind  was  fresh  from  the  northwest, 
the  course  being  northeast  by  north,  and  the  day  was  very  fair, 
without  clouds  or  fog,  and  with  a  clearer  sun  than  so  far  we  have 
had.  About  eleven  o'clock  we  saw  the  land,  though  it  was  far 
away,  and  it  appeared  to  be  very  high  and  snow-crowned.  At 
noon  an  observation  was  obtained,  and,  as  we  were  told  by  the 
second  navigating  officer,  Don  Estdban,  our  position  was  48"  52'; 
but  the  Captain  said  that  we  were  in  the  same  lattitude  as  we  were 
yesterday — ^48**.  During  the  afternoon  a  dense  fog  hid  the  land, 
so  that  at  sunset  the  coast  was  barely  discernible  ;  and  the  wind 
decreased  so  that  at  nightfall  there  was  a  calm,  which  continued 
all  night. 


P'^cuments  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


301 


the  wind 
jresail  and 
s  an  hour, 
e  than  the 

the  north 
>' clock,  the 
le  Captain, 
fore-topsail 
out  eleven 
)g  away,  so 
we  were  in 
as  the  fore- 
orizon  was 
strong,  the 
lead  should 
whether  the 
iter  it  was 

an  hour. 

orison  of 

ints  in  par- 

at  glorious 

have  good 

t. 

>g  and  the 
d  from  the 
heast.     Be- 

0  miles  and 
To-day  a 

eather  was 

northwest, 
s  very  fair, 
far  we  have 

1  it  was  far 
3wned.  At 
told  by  the 
ivas  43"  52'; 
:  as  we  were 
d  the  land, 
td  the  wind 
b  continued 


The  same  calm  continued  at  day-break  on  Sunday,  the  7th,  and 
the  fog  was  so  thick  that  we  could  not  see  the  ship's  length. 
Both  of  us  said  mass ;  and,  in  that  of  my  father  companion,  he 
preached  a  sermon  on  doctrine  and  the  quartermaster  communed. 
Day  and  night  the  calm  continued,  and  there  was  a  fog  which  did 
not  permit  any  observation  to-day.  This  afternoon  some  great 
fishes  were  seen  ;  they  seemed  to  be  sharks,  but  it  was  said  that 
they  were  not.  These  are  the  first  fish  we  have  seen  during  the 
voyage. 

Monday,  the  8th,  dawned  cloudy,  and  it  threatened  to  rain. 
About  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  wind  began  to  come  from 
the  east ;  the  calm  came  to  an  end,  and  the  course  was  north  and 
north  by  east.  Before  eight  o'clock  the  wind  hauled  to  the  south- 
east, and  the  ship's  head  was  put  to  northeast  by  north,  so  that  we 
migh\  get  nearer  to  the  coast.  Although  the  day  was  rather 
obscure,  the  officers  made  out,  with  some  difficulty,  to  take  an 
observation,  and  the  second  navigating  officer,  Don  Est^ban,  told 
us  that  our  position  was  49"  05'.  Before  dinner  we  made  out  the 
land,  which  appeared  to  be  low  and  not  very  distant ;  though,  as 
it  was  very  cloudy,  we  could  not  see  it  very  well.  About  four  in 
the  afternoon  we  were  some  four  leagues  from  it.  Although  the 
wind  was  light  we  approached  it  gradually,  and,  being  about  two 
leagues  away  from  the  shore,  we  sounded  several  times  in  from 
twenty-two  to  twenty-four  fathoms.  About  four  o'clock  three 
small  canoes  came  off  to  us ;  in  one  there  were  four  men,  in  an- 
other three,  in  the  third  two.  Before  reaching  us  they  began  to 
cry  out,  making  gestures  and  signs  that  we  should  go  away.  Our 
people  mads  signs  to  them  that  they  should  draw  near  without 
fear,  and  gave  them  to  understand  that  we  were  seeking  water  ; 
but  either  they  did  not  understand  our  meaning,  or  they  gave  no 
heed  to  it,  for  they  went  back  to  the  shore.  With  the  light  wind 
that  was  blowing  we  drew  near  to  the  land,  and,  at  six  o'clock, 
beiug  about  a  league  from  it,  the  lead  was  cast  again;  and,  good 
holding  ground  being  found,  we  came  to  anchor  in  twenty-five 
fathoms  at  that  hour.  The  wind  died  away  to  a  dead  calm,  and 
thus  we  remained,  putting  off  till  the  morrow  our  landing  for  the 
purpose  of  setting  up  in  the  land  the  standard  of  the  holy  cross 
and  taking  possession  of  it  in  the  name  of  Our  Catholic  Monarch, 
whom  God  guard. 

We  made  out  the  land  very  well  from  the  roadstead  where  we 
lay,  a  roadstead  which  has  the  shape  of  a  C,  and  which  the  Cap- 
tain named  San  Lorenzo.     The  land  was  low  and  heavily  clothed 

20 


^• 


vi 


9(Mt 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


;  I 


with  timber,  though  of  what  kind  we  could  not  distinguish.  This 
anchorage  is  but  little  protected  against  winds.  There  are  two 
points.  That  to  the  southeast  was  called  Point  San  Sst6ban,  out 
of  regard  for  the  second  navigating  officer.  At  this  point  the  low 
land,  thickly  covered  with  timber,  begins,  and  it  stretches  away 
to  the  northwest  for  a  distance  of  four  or  five  leagues  to  the  other 
point,  where  the  land  becomes  higher.  This  point  was  named 
Point  Santa  Clara,  to  which  saint  we  are  now  making  a  novena,  in 
anticipation  of  her  day. 

At  a  distance  of  about  a  league  from  the  very  low  land  of  the 
roadstead  of  San  Lorenzo,  we  saw  there  was  a  very  high  range  of 
mountains,  also  covered  with  timber,  and  behind  this  range,  to  the 
northward,  was  another  still  higher,  having  many  sumr  s  covered 
with  snow.  It  seemed  to  me  that  this  roadstead  is  sh  er^d  from 
the  northwest  and  southeast  winds  only,  and  is  open  to  all  others. 

Being  at  anchor  in  this  roadstead,  at  eight  o'clock  at  night, 
three  canoes  of  larger  size,  with  fifteen  men  in  them,  came  out, 
and  remained  at  some  distance  froru  the  ship,  their  occupants  cry- 
ing out  in  a  mournful  tone.  We  called  out  to  them  and  they  came 
nearer  ;  whereupon  we  asked  them  by  signs  whether  water  wns  to 
be  had.  They  did  not  understand  or  paid  no  attention,  and  went 
toward  the  land  ;  but,  on  the  way  thither,  meeting  with  two  other 
canoes,  all  five  came  on  together  to  about  a  musket  shot's  distance 
from  the  ship.  Although  from  on  board  we  made  many  signs  to 
them  and  cried  out  to  them,  they  would  come  no  nearer,  but  re- 
mained where  they  were  until  about  eleven  o'clock,  talking  one 
with  another,  and  from  time  to  time  crying  out. 

These  canoes  are  not  as  large  as  those  we  saw  at  Point 
Santa  Margarita,  the  longest  of  these  not  being  more  than  eight 
varas  in  length ;  nor  are  they  of  the  same  build,  the  bow  being 
larger  and  hollowed  out  and  the  stern  bluffer.  The  paddles  used 
in  these  canoes  attract  attention  more  than  those  others  ;  they  are 
well  made  and  painted  in  various  colors,  and  are  shaped  like  a 
spade  ending  in  a  point  about  a  quarter  of  a  vara  in  length.  These 
canoes  are  almost  all  of  a  single  piece,  though  we  saw  some  which 
were  made  of  several  pieces  fastened  together  with  cords. 

At  dawn  on  Tuesday,  the  ninth,  the  calm  continued  still.  In 
the  northwest  the  sky  was  clear  ;  in  all  other  quarters  there  was  a 
dense  fog.  At  daybreak  we  set  about  getting  the  long-boat  into 
the  water,  in  order  to  go  ashore  to  plant  the  holy  cross.  While 
thus  engaged  we  saw  fifteen  canoes  leaving  the  land ;  in  a  sL.ort 
time  they  had  come  near  to  us,  and  we  saw  that  there  were  about 


ff 


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203 


uish.  This 
ere  are  two 
5st6ban,  out 
lint  the  low 
itches  away 
to  the  other 
was  named 
a  novena,  in 

land  of  the 
gh  range  of 
range,  to  the 
1  -s  covered 
■  er^d  from 
0  all  others, 
k  at  night, 
a,  came  out, 
:upants  cry- 
id  they  came 
water  was  to 
m,  and  went 
th  two  other 
ot's  distance 
ny  signs  to 
arer,  but  re- 
talking  one 

LW  at  Point 
e  than  eight 
;  bow  being 
jaddles  used 
;rs ;  they  are 
laped  like  a 
igth.    These 

some  which 
rds. 

led  still.  In 
i  there  was  a 

ng-boat  into 
ross.  While 
in  a  sLort 
s  were  about 


a  hundred  men,  and  some,  though  not  many,  women  in  them. 
They  were  given  to  understand  that  they  might  draw  near  without 
fear,  and  they  came  near  and  began  to  trade  with  what  they  had 
in  their  canoes,  which  consisted  only  of  skins  of  otters  and  other 
animals  unknown  to  us,  and  some  hats  made  of  reeds  and  painted 
like  those  seen  at  Point  Santa  Margarita,  except,  we  noticed,  that 
in  these  the  conical  crown  ends  in  a  ball  like  a  little  pear,  and 
some  cloths  woven  of  a  material  very  like  hemp,  and  with  a 
fringe  of  the  same  thread.  Our  people  bought  some  skins  and 
some  cloths  and  hats  in  exchange  for  clothing,  ribbons  and  she.  Is 
which  the  men  had  picked  up  on  the  beach  at  Monterey  and  Car- 
melo,  and  we  noted  that  these  Indians  had  a  great  liking  for  th»» 
shells  and  the  ribbons.  Among  these  Indians  no  cloths  wove;i  of 
wool  or  hair,  like  those  seen  at  Santa  Margarita,  were  met  with. 
Some  pieces  of  iron  and  of  copper  and  of  knives  were  seen  in  their 
possession.  "^ 

We  observed  that  these  Indians  are  as  well  made  as  those  of 
Santa  ^'argarita,  but  they  are  not  as  well  covered  or  clothed. 
These  cover  themselves  with  skins  of  the  otter  and  other  animals 
and  the  woven  cloths  mentioned,  and  they  have  capes  made  of 
cords  of  the  bark  of  trees.  Their  hair  is  long.  The  women  we 
saw  did  not  have  a  disk  pendent  from  the  lip  as  those  of  Santa 
Margarita  do,  and,  therefore,  did  not  appear  to  be  as  ugly  as  those 
others. 

About  six  in  the  morning,  the  long-boat  being  in  the  water  and 
all  in  readiness  for  going  ashore,  the  wind  came  from  the  west  and 
it  was  noticed  that  we  were  being  forced  ashore,  the  anchor  drag- 
ing.  The  Captain  immediately  ordered  the  anchor  to  be  weighed, 
so  that  we  might  get  unuer  way  and  remain  tacking  off  and  on 
while  the  long-boat  went  to  land  and  returned,  but  the  strong  wind 
and  the  sea  were  forcing  us  toward  the  shore  constantly.  Seeing 
the  evident  danger  there  was  that  we  should  be  cast  away,  the 
Captain  very  properly  resolved  to  lose  the  anchor  and  cuble  in 
preference,  and  ordered  the  latter  to  be  cut  forthwith.  Sail  was 
made  and  the  ship's  head  was  put  to  the  southwest  by  south  and 
with  great  difficulty  we  were  able  to  double  a  point  of  rocks  run- 
ning out  about  a  league  into  the  sea.  Having  weathered  this  point, 
and  being  about  three  leagues  off  the  land,  the  wind  and  sea  were 
so  high  that  it  was  necessary  to  take  in  all  sail,  except  the  fore  stay- 
sail, so  that  the  long  boat  could  be  got  on  board.  While  this  was 
doing  a  heavy  sea  struck  the  Loat,  so  that  it  was  by  a  miracle  we 
did  not  lose  it  and  some  sailors  who  were  in  it.     The  long-boat 


_:  J 


204 


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i 


being  got  aboard,  the  sails  were  loosed  and  set  and  the  course  was 
made  south-southwest.  The  wind  and  sea  were  still  increasing. 
At  mid-day  an  observation  was  obtained  and  the  Captain  told  us 
that  we  were  in  49''  1 2'.  During  the  afternoon  the  wind  died  away 
gradually  and  by  night-fall  it  was  calm. 

At  dawn,  on  Wednesday,  the  loth,  this  same  calm  continued, 
and  the  day  was  cloudy,  though  the  usual  fog  was  lacking.  Thus 
we  were  able  to  see  the  coast,  though  it  was  distant,  being  nearly 
fifteen  leagues  away.  Both  were  able  to  celebrate  the  mass  in 
honor  of  the  glorious  San  Lorenzo.  It  was  cloudy  all  day,  the 
sun  not  being  seen,  and  no  observation  was  obtained.  The  calm 
continued  all  day  and  the  following  night. 

Thursday,  the  nth,  dawned  calm  and  cloudy.  About  nine 
o'clock  in  the  morning  the  weather  cleared  and  the  sun  shone  out. 
To  the  eastward  we  saw  a  very  high  hill,  distant  about  eighteen 
leagues  from  where  we  were.  It  seemed  to  us  that  there  were 
great  colored  spots  on  the  hill,  as  though  they  were  ravines;  some 
said  that  there  might  be  snow  there,  or  that  the  hill  was  close  to 
the  shore  and  these  were  banks  of  sand.  At  this  hour  the  wind 
blew  rather  fresh  from  the  northwest.  At  noon  an  observation 
was  obtained,  and  the  Captain  told  us  we  were  in  latitude  48°  09'. 
During  the  afternoon  the  wind  freshened  and  all  the  time  we  made 
three  miles  an  hour.  In  this  way  we  approached  the  land  again, 
and  we  saw  clearly  that  the  high  hill  mentioned  was  entirely 
covered  with  snow,  and  that  on  its  flanks,  to  the  northeast  and 
tke  southeast,  farther  inland  were  seen  other  goodly  stretches  of 
land  covered  with  snow.  As  this  hill  was  so  high  and  so  marked 
by  its  shape  as  it  stretched  inland,  the  Captain  did  not  wish  that 
it  should  remain  without  a  name,  and  so  called  it  the  high  snowy 
hill  of  Santa  Rosalia.  The  northwest  wind  being  so  favorable  all 
day  long  the  course  was  eastward,  we  being  desirous  of  seeing 
whether  by  to-morrow  we  might  not  be  near  the  land — so  that  we 
may  land  and  plant  the  holy  cross  there.  The  wind  continued  to 
blow  from  that  quarter  until  midnight,  when  it  hauled  to  south- 
southeast. 

At  dawn  en  Friday,  the  12th,  it  was  raining,  and  there  was 
s*  thick  a  fog  that  we  could  not  see  one  another  when  at  a  distance 
of  four  paces  apart.  After  midnight  the  wind  blew  strong  from  the 
south-southeast  and  the  s"a  came  from  the  souchwest.  Our  course 
was  eastward,  toward  the  snowy  hill  of  Santa  Rosalia.  By  the 
time  it  was  fairly  day  we  were  very  near  to  it,  but  the  fog  and 
the  rain  prevented  our  seeing  anything  of  it.     The  Captain,  fear- 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


205 


)urse  was 
creasing, 
in  told  us 
lied  away 


ontinued, 
Thus 

ig  nearly 
mass  in 
day,  the 

The  calm 

jout  nine 
hone  out. 

eighteen 
here  were 
les;  some 
,s  close  to 

the  wind 
)servation 
e  48»  09'. 
B  we  made 
nd  again, 
3  entirely 
tieast  and 
etches  of 
io  marked 
wish  that 
jh  snowy 
orable  all 
of  seeing 
io  that  we 
ttinued  to 
to  south- 
here  was 
1  distance 
\  from  the 
ur  course 
By  the 
J  fog  and 
ain,  fear- 


ing lest  we  might  strike  the  land  through  lack  of  forethought,  or 
dered  the  ship  to  be  put  about  with  her  head  to  the  southwest,  so  as 
to  carry  us  out  of  danger  until  such  time  as  the  weather  should  be 
clearer.  Although  both  of  us  were  as  desirous  of  celebrating  the 
mass  to-day  as  all  were  of  hearing  it,  because  it  was  the  day  of 
the  glorious  Santa  Clara  and  our  novena  in  her  honor  came  to  an 
end,  nevertheless  we  were  unable  to  say  even  one  mass,  for  the 
rain  and  wind,  the  high  sea  that  was  running  and  the  extraordi- 
nary tossing  about  of  the  ship  prevented  our  doing  so.  So  we 
conformed  to  the  will  of  God,  assuring  the  people  of  our  strong 
desire  in  the  matter.  At  eleven  in  the  morning  the  wind  went  to 
west-southwest,  and  the  ship  was  put  about  with  her  head  toward 
the  coast,  the  day  remaining  overcast  so  that  at  no  time  could  we 
see  the  sun.  The  afternoon  and  night  were  spent  in  btanding  off 
and  on,  so  as  not  to  go  too  far  away  from  the  laud. 

Saturday,  the  13th,  dawned  very  cloudy,  although  there  was  no 
low  lying  fog,  and  we  found  that  we  were  about  three  or  four 
leagues  from  shore.  We  had  a  partial  view  of  the  land;  far  inland 
the  clouds  hung  over  it.  The  coast  we  saw  consists  of  low  land, 
though  a  portion  of  it  is  of  medium  altitude,  thickly  covered  with 
timber,  stretching  down  from  the  snowy  hill  of  Santa  Rosalia, 
which  we  have  left  behind  toward  the  north.  All  through  the 
afternoon  we  saw  the  smokes  of  many  great  fires,  so  that  we  know 
this  coast  to  be  inhabited.  At  dawn  the  wind  was  in  the  west, 
having  begun  to  blow  frora  that  quarter  during  the  night,  and  our 
course  was  southeast  a  quarter  south  and  afterward  southeast — so 
that  we  might  run  along  the  coast  in  search  of  some  bight  in 
which  to  come  to  an  anchor;  but  gradually  the  wind  died  away. 
About  ten  o'clock  the  wind  came  from  the  southwest  and  began  to 
freshen.  This  wind  being  unfavorable  for  coasdng,  as  it  blew  to- 
wards the  shore,  and  in  order  to  avoid  danger,  the  ship's  head  was 
put  south  and  later  south-southwest.  As  the  day  was  very  cloudy 
no  observation  could  be  obtained.  By  a  short  time  after  twelve 
o'clock  we  had  lest  sight  of  the  land,  being  far  from  it.  At 
dawn,  when  it  was  clear  to  the  northward,  the  Captain  took  the 
bearings  of  the  land  carefully,  and  told  me  that,  according  to  his 
calculations,  the  coast  ran  from  the  snowy  hill  of  Santa  Rosalfa  to 
San  Bias  for  eight  hundred  leagues,  with  a  general  trend  of  north- 
west a  quarter  north  and  southeast  a  quarter  south. 

At  dawn,  on  Sunday,  the  14th,  the  day  v^  as  very  cloudy,  the 
clouds  being  very  heavy,  and,  from  time  to  time  there  were  squalls 
of  wind  accompanied  by  showers.     The  sea,  which  came  from  the 


2o6 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


^^H' 


west,  tossed  the  ship  about  so  that  we  could  not  keep  our  footing. 
For  this  reason  it  was  impossible  to  say  mass.  About  seven  o'clock 
in  the  morning  the  clouds  rolled  away  partially,  tro  that  we  were 
able  to  see  something  of  the  coast,  from  which  wj  were  distant 
some  seven  or  eight  leagues.  At  eight  the  wind  went  to  the  north- 
west, very  light  and  variable.  Shortly  before  twelve  the  sun 
shone  out  and  an  obser\-ation  was  obtained,  although  it  was  not 
entirely  satisfactory-,  because  while  the  oflBcers  were  taking  it  a 
squall  came  on  and  the  sun  was  hidden;  but,  according  to  what 
was  made  out,  the  Captain  told  us  that  we  were  in  46^  08'.  Al- 
though the  weather  cleared  a  little  in  the  afternoon  we  could  see 
the  land  no  longer.  At  nightfall  the  wind  went  to  north,  and  we 
made  three  miles  and  a  half  an  hour  with  the  ship's  head  to  south- 
sonthwest. 

Monday,  the  15th,  dawned  very  clear,  the  sun  shining  out  well 
and  the  wind  still  blowing  fresh  from  the  north.  There  was  a 
good  deal  of  sea  from  the  west  and  we  thought  we  should  be 
obliged  to  go  without  mass,  but  my  father  companion  took  heart  and 
said  one,  the  rest  of  us  hearing  it,  the  Captain,  the  Surgeon  and 
three  sailors  communing.  When  the  sun  shone  out  we  saw  the 
coast  clearly,  being  four  or  iivo  leagues  from  it.  We  saw  a  con- 
siderable stretch  of  it,  of  whi'-u  the  Captain  took  the  bearings  and 
which  trended  north-northvest  and  south-southeast.  It  is  low 
land,  which  rises,  however,  in  places,  and  is  covered  with  a  thick 
growth  of  trees  which  appeared  to  us  to  be  pines.  We  saw  no 
snow.  From  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  we  saw  the  land, 
until  eight  our  course  was  south  by  west;  at  eight  o'clock  it  was 
made  south-southwest.  At  twelve  the  officers  obtained  an  obser- 
vation, and  the  Captain  told  us  that  the  latitude  was  44°  35'. 

All  the  morning  we  were  running  along  the  coast  at  a  distance 
from  it  of  about  three  leagues,  and  we  did  the  same  thing  during 
the  afternoon  ;  but  we  saw  it  more  distinctly  as  there  was  not  so 
much  haze.  The  farther  south  we  advanced  the  lower  the  land 
immediately  on  the  coast  was.  We  saw  some  table-land  where 
there  was  no  timber,  but  seemingly  a  great  deal  of  grass.  We 
saw  several  white  cliffs  near  to  the  sea,  and  some  ravines,  or  open- 
ings, which  ran  no  west  and  southwest.  About  six  o'clock  it 
was  noticed  that  the  land  stretched  out  past  our  bow  to  the  south- 
ward, and  the  Captain  at  once  ordered  the  ship's  head  to  be  put 
to  the  south-southwest.  This  was  our  course  until  eight  o'clock, 
when  it  was  made  south.  And  this  was  our  course  all  night,  the 
wind  being  so  fresh  that  we  made  five  miles  and  a  half  and  hour. 


ir  footing. 

en  o'clock 

we  were 

re  disvant 

the  north- 

the  sun 

it  was  not 

iking  it  a 

ig  to  what 

08'.     Al- 

could  see 

h,  and  we 

I  to  south- 

j  out  well 
ere  was  a 
should  be 
heart  and 
rgeon  and 
e  saw  the 
iaw  a  con- 
Irings  and 
It  is  low 
th  a  thick 
Ve  saw  no 
'  the  land, 
Dck  it  was 
an  obser- 

35'. 

1  distance 
ig  during 
r^as  not  so 

the  land 
id  where 
ass.  We 
,  or  open- 
o'clock  it 
he  south- 
to  be  put 
t  o'clock, 
light,  the 
nd  hour. 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


207 


At  dawn,  on  Tuesday,  the  i6th,  the  day  was  fair,  but  the  hori- 
zon was  entirely  hidden  by  a  thick  fog.  During  the  whole  day 
we  did  not  see  the  land,  because  of  this  fog  or  because  we  were  so 
far  away  from  it.  At  daybreak  the  wind  was  still  blowing  fresh 
from  the  north,  although  it  became  lighter  as  the  sun  rose 
higher.  Early  in  the  morning  the  course  was  made  south-south- 
east, it  having  been  south  all  night.  At  nine  o'clock  it  was 
almost  calm,  and  so  it  continued  to  be  almost  all  the  day  long, 
except  for  an  occasional  puff  of  light  wind.  At  the  hour  last 
mentioned  the  thick  fog,  which  earlier  had  been  confined  to  the 
horizon,  so  enveloped  us  that  at  the  distance  of  a  few  paces  nothing 
could  be  seen.  At  noon  the  sun  shone  out  through  the  fog  just 
long  enough  for  an  observation  to  be  obtained.  According  to  the 
Captain  the  latitude  was  42°  38'.  This  being  the  latitude,  and 
considering  what  is  related  of  the  voyage  of  General  Don  Sebastian 
Vizcaino,  we  conjecture  that  hereabout  must  be  the  white  Cape 
San  Sebastian  and  that  famous  river  discovered  by  Martin  d^  Agui- 
lar;  for,  although  in  the  old  journals  he  locates  it  in  latitude  43°, 
it  is  noticeable  that  the  latitude  of  other  places  where  observations 
were  had  at  that  same  time  has  been  found  to  be  less  by  the  new 
and  more  serviceable  instruments.  Therefore  it  may  be  concluded 
that  the  white  cape  and  the  river  mentioned  are  in  a  lower  latitude 
than  that  given  to  them  by  those  ancient  observers;  and  it  may  be 
that  we  are  in  the  parallel  of  that  cape,  although,  by  reason  of 
the  fog,  we  cannot  see  the  land.  Shortly  before  midnight  the 
wind  began  to  blow  very  strong  from  the  north  and  so  continued 
to  blow  all  night,  during  which  time  our  course  was  south  by  west. 
The  wind  increased  so  that  sail  was  taken  in  until  only  the  fore- 
sail remained  set;  even  thus  the  sh^)  made  way  enough. 

The  dawn  of  Wednesday,  the  17th,  was  obscured  by  a  thick  fog, 
as  former  dawns  had  been,  the  north  wind  still  blowing  strong  and 
our  course  being  south.  As  the  sun  rose  the  fog  lifted  and 
allowed  that  luminary  to  become  visible.  But  the  fog  remained 
on  the  horizon  until  about  noon,  when  it  cleared  away.  During  the 
day  no  land  was  seen  ;  undoubtedly  we  must  be  very  far  away 
from  it.  At  mid-day  an  observation  was  obtained  and,  as  the 
Captain  told  us,  our  position  was  in  41°  27'.  Until  this  hour,  un- 
der the  fore-topsail  alone,  we  inade  more  than  four  miles  an  hour. 
After  noon  the  Captain  ordered  the  ship's  head  to  be  put  to  the 
south-southeast,  toward  the  land.  The  wind  was  still  in  the 
north,  though  not  so  strong  as  it  had  been,  during  the  afternoon 
and  night.     During  this  time  our  course  was  landward. 


I 


2o8 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


At  dawn  on  Thursday,  the  i8th,  there  was  so  thick  a  fog  that, 
at  the  distance  of  a  few  paces,  we  could  not  see  one  another.  This 
is  troublesome  enough  for  navigating  on  an  unknown  coast ;  for,  if 
there  be  islands  or  shoals,  there  would  be  no  one  to  give  an  account 
of  us.  In  the  early  morning  the  north  wind  became  lighter  and  so 
continued  all  day,  although  we  made  considerable  progress  on  a 
southeast  course.  The  fog  continued  all  day  so  that  no  observa- 
tion could  be  had;   nor  was  the  land  seen. 

At  dawn  on  Friday,  the  19th,  the  fog  was  still  present,  and  the 
dew  had  been  so  heavy  that  it  seemed  to  have  been  raining.  There 
had  been  a  calm  all  night  long  and  it  continued  all  day,  except 
that  there  was  an  occasional  light  puff  of  wind.  All  day  long 
the  obscurity  continued  and  the  sun  was  not  seen. 

The  same  fog,  dew  and  calm  were  present  at  dawn  on  Saturday, 
the  20th.  They  continued  all  day,  except  that  there  was,  once  in 
a  while,  a  puff  of  wind,  and  that,  shortly  before  twelve  o'clock, 
the  fog  lifted  so  that  the  sun  could  be  seen  and  the  Captain  man- 
aged with  difficulty  to  get  an  observation.  He  said  that  our  lati- 
tude was  39°  48'. 

At  dawn  on  Sunday,  the  21st,  the  same  fog  continued  and  the 
moisture  from  it  was  like  a  shower,  and  it  was  very  cold.  From 
this  and  previous  wettings  and  cold  it  has  resulted  that  the  greater 
part  of  the  crew  is  unfit  for  duty  on  account  of  the  scurvj'.  Al- 
most all  are  affected  by  it,  some  quite  seriously.  I,  myself,  have 
a  sore  mouth,  so  that  I  have  been  unable  to  celebrate  the  mass. 
But  my  father  companion  said  mass  and  preached  a  sermon. 
Until  eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  calm  lasted  ;  at  that  hour 
a  little  wind  came  from  the  southeast.  Although  it  was  light  and 
unfavorable,  the  ship's  head  was  put  to  the  east-northeast,  toward 
the  coast.  At  noon  the  sun  shone  out  so  that,  although  with 
diflficulty,  the  officers  got  an  observation.  The  Captain  told  us 
that  we  were  in  latitude  39''  30'.  The  wind  was  so  light  during 
the  afternoon  that  we  were  virtually  becalmed.  This  condition 
lasted  all  night. 

The  same  calm  continued  at  dawn  on  Monday,  the  22d;  the  day 
was  cloudy,  but  the  customary  fog  was  absent.  As  the  sun  rose 
we  made  out  the  coast,  from  which  we  were  six  or  seven  leagues 
distant,  and  we  saw  the  culminating  point  of  the  land  looming 
out  of  the  fog,  about  ten  leagues  to  the  northward.  This  was  a 
high  cape  and  beyond  this  cape  no  land  was  seen,  and  we  con- 
cluded that  beyond  this  point  the  coast  trended  in  another  direct- 
ion.    In  the  opinion  of  the  Captain  this  is  Cape  Mendocino  ;  it 


that, 


Documents  front  the  Sutro  Collection. 


209 


fog  that, 
per.  This 
St ;  for,  if 
n  account 
ter  and  so 
ress  on  a 
observa- 

and  the 
g.  There 
ly,  except 
day  long 

Saturday, 
s,  once  in 
o'clock, 
ain  man- 
:  our  lati- 

and  the 
From 
lie  greater 
rvy.  Al- 
self,  have 
he  mass. 
.  sermon, 
that  hour 
light  and 
t,  toward 
igh  with 
1  told  us 
t  during 
condition 

;  the  day 
sun  rose 
1  leagues 
looming 
is  was  a 
we  con- 
;r  direct- 
3cino  ;  it 


bore  five  points  to  the  northward  of  north-northwest.  From  this 
cape  the  coast  trends  south  for  about  ten  leagues.  It  is  all  high 
land  with  several  breaks  in  it,  apparently  ravines.  All  this  land 
is  thickly  covered  with  trees  which  seemed  to  be  pines.  To 
the  southward  of  this  high  land  we  saw  about  five  leagues  of 
coast  not  so  high,  and  that  which  appeared  beyond  that  seemed 
to  be  lower.  All  was  thickly  covered  with  timber.  Shortly  after 
we  had  this  view  of  the  coast  a  thick  fog  settled  down  and  hid 
it,  so  that  we  saw  it  no  more.  Before  .seven  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing the  wind  began  to  blow  from  the  southeast,  and  it  was  neces- 
sary to  put  the  ship's  head  to  south-southwest ;  this  was  going 
away  from  the  coast  again,  this  wind  making  it  impossible  to  do 
anything  else.  At  nine  o'clock  the  weather  cleared  so  that  at 
noon  an  observation  could  be  had  ;  according  to  what  the  Captain 
said  we  are  in  latitude  39**  46'. 

And  so  we  have  made  sixteen  minutes  of  northing  since  yester- 
day. This  is  owing  to  the  fact  that  during  the  afternoon  and 
night  our  course  was  east-northeast  and  that,  although  the  puffs 
of  wind  were  light,  we  made  several  leagues  in  distance,  with 
this  result.  After  the  observation  of  to-day  the  Captain  told  us 
that,  according  to  his  reckoning,  the  latitude  of  Cape  Mendocino, 
which  we  had  left  behind  us,  is  40**,  within  a  few  minutes  of  dif- 
ference. The  light  puffs  of  wind  continued  all  day  and  at  sunset 
we  were  becalmed.     The  calm  continued  all  night. 

Tuesday,  the  23d,  dawned  with  the  day  obscured  by  fog,  not- 
withstanding which  there  were  those  who  said  that,  far  away  amid 
the  fog  on  the  side  where  it  was  not  so  thick,  they  made  out 
the  land.  After  six  o'clock  light  puffs  of  wind  came  from  the 
south-southeast,  and  it  was  necessary  to  put  the  ship's  head  to  the 
southwest.  Little  by  little  the  wind  freshened  and  went  to  south- 
east a  quarter  south.  The  sun  had  been  seen  but  little  and  at 
mid-day  was  so  hidden  that  no  observation  was  possible.  At  sun- 
set the  light  winds  ceased  and  we  were  becalmed.  Inasmuch 
as  these  calms  continue  and  the  weather  is  so  unfavorable,  and  as 
the  sick  become  sicker  while  the  number  of  them  increases,  it  was 
resolved  to  make  a  novena  to  Our  Lady  of  Talpa,  beseeching  her 
patronage;  and,  after  finishing  the  most  holy  chaplet,  we  began 
it.  Very  soon  we  had  evidence  of  her  sovereign  patronage  ;  for, 
after  eight  o'clock,  little  by  little  the  wind  began  to  blow  from  the 
east,  although  gently,  and  it  held  in  that  quarter  until  aft^'  mid- 
night, when  it  hauled  to  northwest  and  blew  fresh  until  three  in 
the  morning,  when  it  went  to  the  north  and  blew  rather  stror  ^. 


I 


2IO 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California. 


All  night  our  course  was  southeast  a  quarter  east,  and  we  went 
well  on  our  way — thanks  be  to  God  and  to  the  Most  Holy  Virgin, 
to  whom  we  offered  to  sing  a  mass  on  the  day  of  her  nativity  if 
she  permit  us  to  reach  home  in  safety. 

At  dawn  on  Wednesday,  the  24th,  the  same  north  wind  was 
blowing  and  the  day  was  so  clear  that  during  the  earlier  part  of 
the  morning  the  sun  was  seen.  Both  of  us  were  able  to  celebrate 
the  holy  sacrifice  of  the  mass.  While  we  were  engaged  in  cele- 
brating the  second  mass  clouds  began  to  form  and  rain  threatened, 
though  no  rain  reached  us.  As  the  clouds  formed  the  wind  fell 
and  a  high  sea  began  to  run  which  tossed  us  about  well.  At  mid- 
day it  was  impossible  to  get  an  observation,  for  it  was  so  cloudy 
that  the  sun  could  not  be  seen.  During  the  afternoon  and  night 
the  calm  and  high  sea  continued. 

This  same  calm  and  high  sea  continued  at  dawn  on  Thursday, 
the  25th,  as  well  as  the  tossing  about  we  had  experienced  during 
the  night,  and  a  thick  fog  obscured  the  day.  At  eleven  o'clook 
in  the  morning  light  puffs  of  wind  began  to  come  from  the  east- 
southeast  or  southeast,  and  the  ship's  head  was  put  northeast,  so 
that  we  might  not  go  too  far  away  from  the  coast,  though  we  do 
not  know  how  far  away  it  is.  At  mid-day  the  sun  came  out  so 
that  with  difficulty  the  Captain  got  an  observation,  and  told  us 
that  our  position  was  latitude  38°  32'.  The  light  wind  from  the 
east-southeast  continued,  and  we  were  in  effect  becalmed  until 
seven  at  night,  when  a  fresh  northwest  wind  set  in  and  we  began 
to  make  some  progress.  Before  nine  the  wind  hauled  to  the  north- 
west and  so  held  until  morning  ;  and,  this  being  a  stern  wind,  we 
made  good  progress  on  a  course  southeast  a  quarter  east,  with 
intent  to  draw  near  to  the  coast. 

Friday,  the  26th,  dawned  with  the  sky  overcast,  and  the  fog  was 
so  thick  that  at  the  distance  of  a  musket-shot  nothing  could  be 
seen.  About  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  wind  which  we  had 
had  during  the  night  shifted  to  the  west-northwest,  and  the  ship's 
head  was  put  to  east-southeast.  This  morning  we  saw  many  birds, 
both  great  and  small,  and  ducks  and  many  whales,  not  very  far 
away  from  the  ship.  All  this  indicates  that  we  are  not  very  far 
from  the  coast ;  and,  according  to  yesterday's  observation  and  the 
considerable  distance  we  have  sailed  during  the  night,  we  opine 
that  we  are  not  very  distant  from  the  port  of  San  Francisco.*  Dur- 
ing the  early  morning  the  west-northwest  wind  ceased  and,  at 

9.  As  has  been  mentioned  elsewhere,  this  was  the  original  San  Francisco  Ba]ri  or  Fort, 
and  U  now  known  as  Francis  Drake's  Bay,  or  Drake's  Bay. 


we  went 
y  Virgin, 
lativity  if 

wind  was 

er  part  of 

celebrate 

in  cele- 

ireatened, 

wind  fell 

At  mid- 

so  cloudy 

ind  night 

Thursday, 
ed  during 
n  o'clook 
the  east- 
rtheast,  so 
gh  we  do 
me  out  so 
id  told  us 
I  from  the 
med  until 
we  began 
the  north- 
wind,  we 
east,  with 

ie  fog  was 
5  could  be 
;h  we  had 
the  ship's 
any  birds, 
it  very  far 
>t  very  far 
n  and  the 
we  opine 
:o.*  Dur- 
i  and,  at 

Bay,  or  Port, 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


211 


about  nine  o'clock,  it  began  to  blow  very  strong  from  the  north- 
west. About  ten  o'clock  it  was  said  that  land  was  in  sight  on  the 
bow  and  not  very  distant,  although  I  was  able  to  make  it  out  with 
difl&culty  because  of  the  thick  fog.  The  Captain  said  that  these 
were  the  farallones  of  San  Francisco,  the  first  to  be  met  with  in 
going  from  north  to  south  ;  and  he  says  that  there  are  two  groups 
of  them,  about  five  leagues  distant  from  the  coast  or  mainland, 
both  groups  stretching  from  northwest  to  southeast,  distant  about 
a  league  and  a  half,  or  two  leagues,  one  group  from  the  other. 

The  first  group,  which  we  saw  very  plainly  as  we  passed  it  about 
a  league  away,  is  that  toward  the  north,  and  consists  of  seven 
small  rocky  crags,  not  very  large  nor  equal  in  size.  That  in  the 
middle  is  the  highest ;  and  all  are  separated,  one  from  the  other. 
Of  these,  it  appears,  the  histories  and  the  records  of  the  voyage  of 
General  Don  Sebastian  Vizcaino  make  no  mention.  In  order  to 
pass  by  them  the  ship's  head  was  put  south  by  east.  By  mid-day 
they  were  astern;  and,  had  there  been  a  clear  sun,  this  would  have 
been  a  good  opportunity  for  the  determination  of  their  latitude. 
At  this  same  hour  of  noon  we  began  to  make  out  the  second  group. 
They  also  are  seven  in  number,  and  are  very  lofty.  They  seemed 
to  be  contiguous,  and,  seen  from  afar,  appeared  to  form  an  island 
with  seven  peaks,  some  higher  than  others,  with  a  circumference 
of  about  a  league.  Of  these,  it  would  appear.  Admiral  Cabrera 
Bueno  speaks,  when  he  says  that  they  make  a  good  landmark  for 
finding  Port  San  Francisco;  for  these  seven,  as  Captain  Don  Juan 
Perez  tells  me,  stretch  out  in  front  of  Point  Reyes,  and  to  the 
northward  of  this  point,  in  the  bight  which  begins  to  be  formed 
there,  that  port  is  situated. 

lih.Q farallones  which,  during  the  expedition  by  land  of  the  year 
1769,  in  which  I  took  part,  we  saw  on  the  31st  of  October — as  I  re- 
late in  my  diary — are  distinct  from  all  these  T.  have  seenjnow ;  for  it 
was  not  possible  to  see  these  from  the  place  where  the  land  expedi- 
tion saw  those,  which  was  the  shore  of  the  bight  on  the  other  side  of 
and  almost  opposite  to  Point  Reyes.  From  that  beach  we  took  the 
bearings  of  those  we  saw  then,  and  they  were  west  a  quarter  south, 
and  Point  Reyes  bore  west  a  quarter  north — ^that  is  to  say,  the  bear- 
ings were  two  quarter  points  apart.  Those  which  we  have  seen 
now  lie  northwest  and  southeast.  Moreover  :  when,  on  that  expe- 
dition, we  took  the  bearings  of  ih/t  farallones  we  then  saw,  we  were 
within  the  bight,  or  pocket,  distant  only  about  three  leagues  from 
the  outlet  of  the  two  great  lagoons,  and  had  in  full  view  the  seven 
farallones  which  were  distant  only  about  a  league  and  a  half  from 


212 


Historical  Society  of  Southern  California, 


\\  I 
%  i 


us,  while  Point  Reyes  was  distant,  as  the  crow  flies,  about  eighteen 
leagues.  And  as,  according  to  the  opinion  of  Captain  Don  Juan 
Perez,  these  two  chains  oi  farallones  are  distant  only  about  five 
leagues  from  the  coast  and  from  Point  Reyes,  it  follows  that,  Vtfhen 
the  land  expedition,  being  within  the  great  bight,  discovered  the 
seven /arallones  of  which  the  journals  of  that  expedition  tell,  its 
islands  must  have  been  twenty-three  leagues  away  from  those  we 
have  seen  to-day.  Consequently  they  can  not  be  the  same,  but 
others  which  could  not  have  been  seen  by  the  land  expedition.  I 
make  a  note  of  this  so  that  all  error  may  be  avoided." 

At  dawn  on  Saturday,  the  27th,  the  same  favorable  and  very 
fresh  northwest  wind  which  we  had  enjoyed  during  the  night  still 
held.  About  six  in  the  morning  we  were  off  Point  Afio  Nuevo, 
and  presently  began  to  enter  the  bight  of  Monterey.  We  came  to 
an  anchor  in  that  port  about  four  in  the  afternoon,  although  we 
did  not  go  ashore  until  the  following  day,  after  both  of  us  had 
said  mass.  Thanks  be  to  God,  and  to  his  mother  most  pure  who 
has  permitted  us  to  arrive  most  happily  at  this  port,  although  we 
suffer  the  disappointment  of  not  having  gained  our  chief  end, 
which  was  to  go  as  far  north  as  sixty  degrees  of  latitude,  there  to 
go  ashore  and  raise  the  standard  of  the  holy  cross.  May  the 
Divine  Majesty  design  that  this  voyage  shall  serve,  at  least,  to 
move  the  heart  of  Our  Catholic  Monarch,  and  increase  the  chris- 
tian zeal  of  the  Most  Excellent  the  I<ord  Viceroy,  so  th^ii,  by  rea- 
son of  the  greater  knowledge  now  acquired  concerning  this,  coast, 
and  the  good  people  dwelling  there,  they  may  send  forth  another 
expedition,  and  evangelical  laborers  who  shall  plant  our  holy  faith 
among  them  and  bring  that  pagandom  into  the  fold  of  our  holy 
church.  Thus  I  beseech  God,  to  whom  be  all  honor  and  glory. 
Amen. 

This  diary,  as  has  been  stated,  I,  the  above  mentioned  Fray  Juan 
Crespi,  kept  from  day  to  day  during  the  voyage,  writing  the  same 
in  a  book  as  occasion  served  and  the  events  occurred.  But,  as  at 
times  poor  facilities  for  writing,  at  others  the  tossing  about  of  the 
ship,  and  at  others  still  sea- sickness,  had  occasioned  some  error  in 
handwriting  and  in  style,  after  my  arrival  at  this  mission  I  have 

10.  Father  Crespi's  statement  is  very  explicit.  The  opinion  of  the  Bancroftian  writer 
conceminK  that  gtatement  has  already  been  noticed.  Any  one  'who  chooses  to  compare 
Father  Crespi's  diary  of  the  land  expedition  of  1769  and  his  diary  Riven  here  will  not  find 
it  difficult  to  understand  what  he  says  about /araiionn.  Mr.  Bancroft's  writer  (Hittory  of 
the  Pacific  States,  vol.  XIII.,  p.  146.  et  seq.l  gives  Crespi's  diary  of  the  expedition  of  1769  to 
the  Slst  October,  but  does  not  Rive  the  entry  made  on  the  Slst.  The  account  of  what  the 
explorers  did  seeon  the  3. st,  Riven  on  p.  156  of  the  same  volume,  appears  to  be  what  ii 
termed  "  fine  writing,"  but  does  not  appear  to  be  what  Father  Crespi,  or  any  one  else  who 
took  part  in  the  expedition,  did  say. 


t  eighteen 
Don  Juan 
ibout  five 
hat,  v^hen 
ivered  the 
»n  tell,  its 
those  we 
same,  but 
dition.     I 

and  very 

night  still 

io  Nuevo, 

'^e  came  to 

:hough  we 

of  us  had 

pure  who 

though  we 

chief  end, 

J,  there  to 

May  the 

t  least,  to 

the  chris- 

Ai,  by  rea- 

this.  coast, 

;h  another 

holy  faith 

f  our  holy 

md  glory. 

Fray  Juan 
;  the  same 
Bul^,  as  at 
out  of  the 
Qe  error  in 
on  I  have 

roftian  writer 
!8  to  compare 
I  will  not  find 
er  {History  of 
Ion  of  1769  to 
t  of  what  the 
o  be  what  li 
one  elie  who 


Documents  from  the  Sutro  Collection. 


213 


made  a  clean  copy,  making  it  a  point  to  abbreviate  where  this 
could  be  done  with  propriety,  yet  without  varying  or  substantially 
altering  anything.  And  thus  I  certify.  In  witness  whereof  I 
sign,  at  this  mission  of  San  Cdrlos  de  Monterey,  at  Carmelo,  this 
5th  day  of  October,  1774-" Fray  Jpan  Crespi. 

U  It  win  be  Interesting  for  the  neneral  reader  to  read  what  Mr.  BancroffM  writer*  say 
concernlnrthe  voyage  of  tiie  5(.»(iai70,  in  connection  with  these  very  mlnnte  dlarle.  of 
B-athera  de  la  Pefia  and  Crespt.  If,  In  addltloo,  he  will  refer  to  any  good  map  of  the  coait 
o?  Oregon  ind  WMh°ng  on.'he  mar  find  that  ho  will  be  nnable  to  'K^ee  with  those  writer, 
intoeldentiflcationofpolntsou  that  coast.  The  Banoroftlan  account  of  the  voyage  of 
the  Sontiaoo  will  be  fouid.  principally,  in  the  flMtortf  o/</k«  PadHc  States,  vol.  XIII.,  227-9. 
and  vol.  XXVII.,  lSO-8. 


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ERRATA. 


On  page  20,  loth  line  from  top:  After  "Cermeno"  read  "the  navigating  officer." 
On  page  180,  5th  line  from  bottom:  For  "to"  read  "in." 


>«  ! 


